A woman battling a terminal condition is preparing for a trip of a lifetime when she will lead a motorcycle cavalcade around the Highlands to raise awareness of the disease – and raise funds for the search of a cure.
Janet MacDonald, 47, from Croy, suffers from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) which causes scarring and hardening of the lungs and leaves victims with a life expectancy of between three and five years.
Mrs MacDonald, a mother-of-three, was diagnosed with IPF in 2012 and given two years to live.
The devastating news came just five years after she beat a rare form of cancer.
Last night, Mrs MacDonald said she was looking forward to her epic motorcycle trip.
She said: “I’ve only ever been on the back of a friend’s motorbike. I’ve always wanted to get one, but I’ve no mileage on bikes at all.
“I’ll have an IPF T-shirt over my leathers. That’s why I’ll be at the front.”
Mrs MacDonald will ride pillion on a trike during a day-long ride which has been mapped out “in the shape of a lung”.
It starts in Inverness and heads for Muir of Ord via Nairn, Forres, Elgin, Aberlour, Grantown, Aviemore and Beauly.
All the money raised will go to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust.
The illness is little known but claims around 5,000 lives a year in the UK. The only hope for sufferers is a lung transplant, but most have died while on the waiting list.
Her youngest daughter, Holly, and two close friends, Alexander MacDonald and Susan MacLean, came up with the idea of the motorcycle ride.
Ms MacLean said: “For those of us who have seen the effects of this illness – the loss of weight, the extreme pain the sufferer endures, the breathlessness and the knock-on consequences on families and friends – the time spent with them is precious.
“We have seen Janet laugh when she’s in pain, but her infectious nature reflects the strength of her character. Although she has lost more than half her body weight she still leads her life to the full.”
The charity event, backed by BRC Motorcyles of Muir of Ord, is planned for June 7.
Donations can be made online at
http://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/hollymacdonald1