A Highland woman with multiple sclerosis has inspired her twin relatives to attempt a unique “cross Scotland” charity challenge in just 48 hours.
Emma MacKenzie, 34, from Hilton of Cadboll near Balintore in Ross-shire, was diagnosed with the neurological condition in November 2007, two months before she got married. In December 2011 she had to medically retire from her role as a staff nurse at Raigmore hospital due to disease progression.
Now her husband Roderick’s twin brothers, Ian and Hugh MacKenzie, 37, have decided to walk, run, swim, kayak and cycle their way between Fort William and Stonehaven in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society UK.
Yesterday, the twins cycled 66 miles from Fort William to Loch Morlich near Aviemore, before swimming its length and then walking and running 26 miles through Lairig Ghru in the Cairngorms to Braemar.
Today, they will be kayaking 60 miles down the river Dee to Bridge of Crathes near Banchory before running a half marathon to Stonehaven.
Ian said: “Both Emma and Roderick have been so amazing in dealing with the MS and are an inspiration to us and many of those who know them. The support offered by the MS Society has made a real difference to my sister-in-law and other people who live with this condition.”
Mrs MacKenzie said: “I am delighted that they have decided to do it and honoured because they are my brothers-in-law.
“The disease literally was life changing and I have had to give up my profession. For me it was not just a job, I loved it.”
Mrs MacKenzie has recently become the fifth person in Scotland to start the new drug techfidera, a treatment which is proven to cut relapse rates and may also delay disability progression.
She currently runs Deebank B&B in Easter Ross based on the family farm, Balintore Farms, when health permits.
Her brother-in-law, Ian, comes from Stonehaven and is the head mechanical engineer for Aberdeen oil company Maersk, and twin Hugh lives in Cushnie by Alford and works as a technical director for Paradigm Flow Services, also based near Aberdeen.
To support the brothers in this challenge, visit
http://www.justgiving.com/mackenziebrothers