Published: Wednesday, 14th May, 2008 12:00
Walkers go a long way for little Laiya
By Nicola Findlay
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West Highland Way trekkers Gary Mathieson, his wife Lillian, and father and son Frank and Paul McCafferty are joined at the end of the adventure by Laiya and her family.
A CLACKMANNAN tot joined walkers on the final leg of their 96-mile trek as they raised thousands of pounds for the hospital that saved her life.
Little Laiya Harrison was born in February 2007 with an extremely rare condition which causes a narrowing of her airways.
However, doctors at Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in Glasgow successfully fought to save her – and Laiya underwent several life-saving operations.
And when her mum Karla and dad Scott were asked by family friend Gary Mathieson if he could organise a charity walk of the West Highland Way to raise funds for Yorkhill, they had no hesitation in saying yes.
Gary, along with his wife Lillian, and father and son duo Frank and Paul McCafferty, have just completed the trek which takes in some of Scotland’s most breathtaking scenery.
They were joined by Karla and her sister-in-law Natalie Harrison for the final leg between Kinlochleven and Fort William.
Karla told the Advertiser, “I did the last 14 miles of the walk and it certainly was an experience I will remember.
“The weather was absolutely fantastic and I enjoyed the walk. It was good fun and everyone had a laugh.
“However, no one told me that a lot of the final 14 miles was uphill – and I have the blisters to prove it! At the end of the day, though, there was no way I wasn’t going to do it. I think everyone felt the same way.”
As previously reported in the Advertiser, the care Laiya received at Yorkhill in the precarious first few days of her life was first class, and her parents will be forever grateful for the dedication and support of the hospital’s staff.
The trek has raised around £2000 so far, with Scott’s employer Diageo promising to double whatever is raised up to a maximum of £1500.
Proceeds from the trek will be split between ward 2B at Yorkhill, the surgical ward where Laiya had her operations, and Ronald McDonald House, where family members can stay when a child is in the hospital.
Karla said, “I would like to say a big thank you to Gary, Lillian, Frank and Paul for what they did. It is very much appreciated.
“It was a mammoth effort. Doing the last 14 miles gave me a taste of what it was like for them. I don’t know how they did it.
“I would also like to thank everyone who has donated money to us – including the guys at Alloa Rugby Club who donated most of their beer money from their last tour – and everyone who has supported Laiya since she was born.”
Gary is no stranger to the West Highland Way having already completed it six times. He and his wife were even married on the trail three years ago. However, the fact he was doing it for his friends and their little girl made it all the more special.
“Raising money for Yorkhill made it a bit easier at times and kept us all going,” he said. “We all had a great time and the weather really was exceptional – the best I have ever had on the trek – and we definitely needed plenty of sun cream.
“And the fact Karla and Natalie joined us on the last day made it all the more special.”
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