10-year-old walked 95 miles in a week for our campaign

Michelle proved they were all wrong       

By Sarah Johnson SCHOOLGIRL Michelle Taylor from Cumbernauld went for a walk — and raised £1840 for our appeal. After deciding her boots were made for walking, that’s just what she did, stepping out along the West Highland Way over the course of a week in the summer holidays Michelle, now 11 and in Primary 7, was just 10 when she donned her boots and took to the hills with her gran, Aunt Sandra and Uncle Charles, who kept her company over the week and helped with her training in the months before. Gran, Marie Lauder, had been following our campaign and at the end of last year began thinking of how her family could help raise money.

Michelle and her mum Angela proudly show off her West Highland Way completion certificate

She suggested the West Highland Way to Michelle’s older brother Martin (14), but the thought of walking 95 miles didn’t appeal. Time So little sister Michelle decided she’d show her brother what girls were made of. At the beginning of the year she started walking with her family.  With dance practise three times a week and swimming four times, Michelle doesn’t have much time to spare but she always kept one day free for walking.  Then, on Saturday, June 29, starting from Milngavie, Michelle walked 24 miles on the first day of her trek.  Mum Angela walked with her for the first two days. She said, “The first day was difficult, but Michelle was focused. As we climbed Conic Hill the sun came out and the heat was unbearable.” On the Monday Angela had to get back to Cumbernauld to Martin, husband Pete and their younger son, Darren (7). Determined Angela hated leaving her daughter as she had never spent more than a night away from home. But Michelle was determined she would do whatever she could for the hospice children.  She texted every 20 minutes to let her mum and dad know where she was, what she was doing and how she was feeling. Angela said, “We are so proud of her. She really doesn’t like being away from home but she was dedicated to doing this for CHAS so she carried on.” Michelle and her three co-walkers stayed at B&Bs along the way. She said, “People thought I’d never manage to finish, as it was such a long way and that I’d get too tired. But I proved them all wrong.  “We met and talked to lots of people — some gave me money for CHAS too. “Lots of folk said if I made it to the end they’d give me £10. My family, teachers and friends sponsored me but I don’t know if they ever really thought I would do it.” A large chunk of the money came from the global technology services company Schlumberger.  A friend of Aunt Sandra’s, Maire McManus, works in the Port Glasgow office and when she found out about Michelle’s quest she encouraged fellow employees to sponsor the Westfield Primary pupil. They made a remarkable difference, with around £1000 of Michelle’s total coming from their generosity. Angela said, “That’s the great thing about CHAS. You just have to mention it and people are willing to help. We thought Michelle might get about £700 but once we started collecting the money we were amazed.” Michelle added, “I never thought I’d raise so much. I was so pleased.” On the last day Mum, Dad, Martin and Darren went to meet their little trooper at Fort William. “I was so happy when I finished,” said Michelle, “and I had no blisters!” Humbling Nicola Doig from CHAS said, “We get so much support, but when we see someone as young as Michelle making such a fantastic contribution it is really humbling.  “She was committed to helping and carrying it through to the end. This shows such dedication. She is a real inspiration.” Michelle has been invited to visit Robin House when it’s completed later next year, something she is looking forward to.  But will she repeat her walk?  She giggled, “No, I don’t think so. I’ll think of other ways to help now.

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