FIVE friends have set off on an a 55-mile trek this weekend to raise money for Blood Cancer UK in memory of their good friend.
Andrew Marchant, alongside Alisdair Davidson, Scott Dempster, Mark Stewart, and Iain Dick are walking from Kelso to Moffat in memory of their good friend Alan Kennedy, who lost his six-year battle with cancer last year.
Alan, aged just 49, was well-known in the farming community for his shearing skills and his show-winning Parkgate Charollais flock from Dumfries, which produced breed and inter-breed winners at many events, including the Royal Highland Show, Dumfries, Border Union, and Ayr shows.
The group have known each other since they were young farmers, and set out to give their friend a fitting tribute.
The fundraising idea quickly grew arms and legs, or in this case, horns as the group decided to take on the honorary challenge, named ‘The Rampage’, of pulling a sheep sculpture from Kelso Showground to the ram statue in Moffat.
Andrew said: “The six of us were good pals, having known each other since our Young Farmer days.
“Alan put up a strong fight over the six years, and we admired how he always remained so positive throughout. You’d give him a call and ask how he was doing, and he’d always come out with something upbeat.
“We knew we wanted to do something in his memory but it had to be a real challenge to live up to the example he set us all.
“During his time, we enjoyed many great days at Kelso Tup sales, and when it came to deciding on a way to fundraise, this played a key part.
“We have kindly been lent the use of a sheep sculpture from Eaglesfield Primary School, as seen in the RHASS ‘Flock to the Show’ campaign.”
Looking ahead their walking weekender, Ian added: “It’s going to be tough, we’re five overweight and unfit 40 year olds who haven’t done a lot of walking outside of farming.
“We keep telling ourselves that’s all going to fine, so hopefully we won’t too sore by the end of it.”
Their challenge began this morning and they aim to finish in Moffat on Saturday afternoon.
