WITH just a matter of weeks until they undertake the ‘West Highland Celtic Way’, a group of four generous supporters of Celtic FC Foundation and Kilbryde Hospice have been hard at work, in preparation for the challenge.

Stevie Kilcoyne, Father Frank Dougan, Paul Wiggins and Gordon McHugh are taking on the 96-mile walk from Milngavie to Fort William, to raise funds for the two charities.

Following a fuel-filled breakfast at Celtic Park, the quartet will begin their five-day trek on Thursday, September 20.

The group have been in training in recent weeks and have been keen to clock up the miles. Stevie Kilcoyne, a great supporter of both charities for a number of years, said: “I’ve really got into my walking in the build-up to the challenge.

“During the week I have been walking a minimum of five to six miles every day and I’m trying to do an additional eight to 10 miles a couple of nights a week. At the weekends I’m doing long walks of around 15 to 20 miles.

“I was on holiday recently in Tenerife and I even used that as an opportunity to get some training in. I did some great hikes along the coastline and up and down the cliff edges, which was around 18 miles.

“I know the other guys are working hard at their training too and putting in a similar effort. Father Frank was away hill walking and climbing for two weeks up north.”

Stevie and fellow walker Paul Wiggins also recently took in an 18-mile training walk from Balmaha to Rowardennan and back.

He added: “We had a great day and met plenty other walkers, from various places throughout the world, all of whom took great interest in our challenge and the charities that we are doing it for.

“We’re really looking forward to it and hope to raise plenty of funds for two great charities.”

You can support the group’s wonderful efforts by making a donation HERE