An Inverness man is taking on a mammoth 10km obstacle challenge in memory of his brother.
Don Johnstone – better known as Big Don – will undertake the Beast Race on Saturday to raise cash for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland after his brother Michael died suddenly from a heart attack in February.
Prior to his brother’s death, the 42-year-old had already begun an epic weight loss journey, shedding a whopping 12 stone in just over a year.
Mr Johnstone decided something had to change in 2017 after he found himself unable to walk the length of the football pitch at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where he works.
At the time, Mr Johnstone weighed 32 stone.
This year will be the second time he has taken on the challenge, completing last year’s race in two hours and 20 minutes after reaching his target weight of 20 stone.
He said: “Michael was only 47 when it happened. It was such a shock. My parents lost a son, my siblings and I lost a brother and Michael’s wife and his kids lost the most important person in their lives. That day our lives changed forever.
“Michael had been in the army in his 20s and had kept himself fit and healthy; he had been the fittest in the whole family. It left a lot of questions for me; how could this have happened? Why Michael, the man who looked after himself and not someone like me, who didn’t?
“We’re a big family, we were lucky to have each other and we all rallied together. You somehow have to find a way to make a new life. Things don’t ever get back to normal; you need to find a way to make a new normal. I wanted to do something in memory of my brother and to try and help other families who find themselves in a similar situation.
“We were given no warning about Michael but other people might get that time and I want to be able to help them get the support they need, when they need it. That’s why I’m doing the Beast again but this time for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland.”
Paul Corrigan, fundraising manager at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “It’s incredible to see Don braving the Beast Race again but this time in memory of his beloved brother, Michael. It’s an amazing thing to do in his memory. The money raised will help support people in Scotland who are living with heart conditions and their families.”
An online fundraising page has been set up.
