A kayaker who has raised £7,000 for charity on a 600-mile trip around the Scottish coast was welcomed to Collieston tonight.
Jack Gatacre, of Pittenweem, is covering 40-50miles per day for two weeks in aid of The Fishermen’s Mission, a UK charity which offers financial support to fishermen and their families.
Now on the final leg of his trip, which began in Fife, and took in the Forth and Clyde canal, the islands of Arran, Jura and Mull, Fort William, the Caledonian Canal, Loch Ness, the North Sea at Inverness and Moray Firth, he was welcomed to Collieston by the village’s offshore rowing club and community council.
Mr Gatacre is supporting the Fishermen’s Mission because his girlfriend’s father retired after 50 years working at sea recently.
“Starting and finishing where he has fished also seemed special,” he said.
“I’ve faced some really strong wind changes and the weather can change at the drop of a hat but, other than occasional loneliness it’s really enjoyable.
“It’s totally different to fishing as I don’t sleep on the kayak, can get up when I like, do the amount I like and have control over that. Fishermen don’t get that luxury.”
He’s raised more than £7,000 so far.
The local Fishermen’s Mission superintendent Sandy Garvock said: “As an emergency, 24/7 service, we support fishermen past and present around the whole of the UK from birth to death with anything that they need. We offer assistance relating to their welfare and well being, and are grateful for the support of individuals like Jack.”
Gordon MP Richard Thomson added: “Jack has been on the water in challenging conditions but this of course pales in comparison to the sacrifice fishermen and their families make to put food on our tables and the work undertaken by the mission to support fishing families in the face of adversity and need.”
To donate visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jack-gatacre1