Glasgow Chamber Of Commerce

Comedian and broadcaster Fred MacAulay has taken on the challenge of trekking the mighty West Highland Way in aid of the STV Appeal 2012 - and what's more, he'll perform a comedy gig at various points along the way! 

Fred wants to raise as much cash as possible to help children living in poverty in Scotland and you can sponsor him for this almighty challenge by visiting www.justgiving.com/WHWfredmacaulay.

During this West Highland Way Challenge, Fred will walk the whole, gruelling 96 miles and will be joined for shorter stints by a series of well known faces, who are also seeking sponsorship for their efforts.  Go on, sponsor your favourite!

Some of the celebrities committed to joining Fred to raise his spirits and keep him company across the challenge so far are: 

• STV's very own News anchorman John MacKay - http://www.justgiving.com/WHWJohnMackay
• Scott Hastings - http://www.justgiving.com/WHWScottHastings  
• Clare Grogan - www.justgiving.com/WHWClareGrogan 
• Hue & Cry's Pat and Greg Kane - www.justgiving.com/WHWHueandCry 
• Nick Nairn - www.justgiving.com/WHWNickNairn 
• Jennifer Reoch (Miss Scotland 2011) and Katherine Brown (Miss Scotland 2010) - www.justgiving.com/WHWMissScotland  
• David Hayman - www.justgiving.com/WHWDavidHayman  
• Still Game's Jane McCarry and Mark Cox  -http://www.justgiving.com/WHWJaneandMark

They will be walking in the following order:

Date	Route	Time	Distance	Who is doing it
Monday 16th	Milngavie to Drymen	6 - 8 hours	12 miles	Fred, John Mackay and Scott Hastings
Tuesday 17th	Drymen to Rowardennan	7 - 9 hours	15 miles	Fred, Jennifer Reoch and Katharine Brown
Wed 18th	Rowardennan to Inverarnan	8 - 10 hrs	14 miles	Fred, Jane McCarry and Mark Cox
Thurs 19th	Inverarnan to Bridge of Orchy	9 - 12 hrs	19 miles	Fred, David Hayman and celebrity TBC
Friday 20th	Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven	9 - 12 hrs	21 Miles	Fred, Pat and Greg Kane
Saturday 21st	Kinlochleven to Fort William	7 - 8 hrs	16 miles	Fred, Nick Nairn and Clare Grogan

Fred takes on this six day challenge, which will see him hike from Milngavie to Fort William, starting on Monday 16 July.  And as if that wasn't enough of a challenge, after each long day's trek, Fred has committed to performing a comedy gig for locals.

Mon 16th July, The Winnock Hotel, Drymen
Tues 17th July, The Rowardennan Hotel, Rowardennan
Wed 18th July, The Drover's Inn, Inverarnan
Thurs 19th July, The Bridge of Orchy Hotel, Bridge of Orchy
Fri 20th July, The Tailrace Inn, Kinlochleven

Tickets and timings for each gig available through the venues.

Fred is delighted to be putting his boots on for the STV Appeal this year. He said:

"Walking the West Highland Way for the STV Appeal is a triple whammy for me. First, I get to help out with the STV Appeal, which helps raise awareness of a hugely worthwhile cause, and hopefully encourage people to put a few pounds into the kitty. Second, I'll get to meet and spend time with some interesting Scots while we walk. And thirdly, the West Highland Way has been on my to-do list for a long time!  This is all for a fantastic cause, and any cash raised will help so many children affected by poverty in Scotland, so please visit my justgiving page and donate now. "

Elizabeth Partyka, Deputy Director of Channels at STV said: 

"Fred is a total star.  Not only is he trekking for almost 100 miles but he's performing gigs all along the way and all on behalf of the Appeal, we are so grateful.  The man has boundless energy and it's all for a fantastic cause.  I think he's definitely worthy of a sponsor!"

Fred's efforts are being supported by iconic treat manufacturer Tunnock's. Not only are they giving a cash donation via Fred's Just Giving page, but they plan to keep him going with all the Teacakes and Caramel Wafers he can eat along the way.

Fred is well known for fronting radio shows such as BBC Radio Scotland's MacAulay & Co. and appearing on TV programmes including They Think It's All Over.  He recently starred in STV's popular series Too Good To Waste.

SPONSOR FRED AND THE TEAM: https://www.justgiving.com/user/33716715

The STV Appeal 2012 is committed to helping children and young people affected by poverty in Scotland. The STV Appeal was launched in 2011 by The Hunter Foundation and STV, and in its inaugural year raised almost £1.3m.  The STV Appeal spends 100% of the money raised on the kids who most need it.  Every single penny raised stays in Scotland.  And as in 2011, the Scottish Government has once again committed to match funding the total amount raised.