A LOCAL man is set to embark on a walk of close to 100 miles for a charity close to his heart.

Simon Vicary is preparing to walk the West Highland Way in support of Brain Tumour Research.

The West Highland Way is close to 100 miles long.

‘I intend to leave Milngavie on May 17, and, hopefully, arrive in Fort William six days and 96 miles later’, Simon said.

The route offers diverse scenery from the shores of Loch Lomond to Highland mountains.

‘During the years our children were growing up my wife and I were aware of a number of children affected by brain tumours’, Simon said.

’Some years later, my son in law had to deal with two tumours in close succession.

‘Thankfully, he beat them both.

‘And more recently a very dear friend developed a brain tumour that sadly resulted in her death.

‘I do not think over my 66 years of life I can think of another disease that has affected me more’, Simon said.

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

Just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this disease.

Brain Tumour Research is a leading voice calling for support and action for research into what is called the last battleground against cancer.