Paisley based endurance walker Craig Ferguson was honoured at a special reception yesterday (February, 19) at Bute House in Edinburgh, hosted by First Minister John Swinney, ahead of his “Tartan Trek”, a coast to coast walk from Los Angeles to Boston.
Mr Ferguson said: “The Tartan Trek is about more than miles, it’s about starting conversations.
“Mental health affects every family, every community, and I’m determined to do something bold to help raise the funds SAMH urgently needs.
“Walking from LA to Boston will be the toughest thing I’ve ever done, but if it encourages even one person to seek support or helps fund lifesaving services back home in Scotland, every step will be worth it.”
The journey begins with his departure for the USA on February 21 and will involve walking a marathon a day for 104 consecutive days.
The trek aims to raise £1million for the Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) and will conclude in Boston.
Mr Ferguson hopes the challenge will coincide with Scotland’s opening match at the FIFA World Cup on June 14.
First Minister John Swinney said: “It was a great pleasure to host this reception for Craig.
“It was an opportunity to recognise everything he has done to support mental health awareness here in Scotland, and to wish him good luck before he embarks on his epic Tartan Trek from Los Angeles to Boston ahead of the World Cup.”
He added: “Craig’s walks are so important for publicising the links between physical activity and good mental health.
“They also raise awareness of the need to talk openly about our wellbeing, which supports crucial work we undertake in partnership with SAMH.”
In 2024, Mr Ferguson walked 1,000 miles from Glasgow to Munich, raising more than £70,000 for men’s mental health.
