A FATHER and daughter duo are set to walk all of Scotland's great trails in 2023 in a bid to support Alloa-headquartered Scottish Autism.
Ian and Eve Alderman, from Aberfoyle in rural Stirling, are set to complete 29 trails in total, hoping to raise funds and awareness for Scotland's largest autism-specific charity.
Fresh from their most recent challenge in 2022, where they hiked the length of mainland UK from Dunnet Head to Lizard Point, the duo is ready to tackle 2023 head-on.
Eve, 8, aspires to one day climb Mount Everest, and both she and her father are autistic.
They raised £15,000 last year while using their online posts to challenge stigma and perceptions around autism.
Ian said: “For the last couple of years, we have embarked on adventures to raise awareness of autism and challenge some of the often-associated stereotypes.
“Last year we walked 1,300 miles, the length of the UK and raised over £15,000 for autism.
“This year we have decided to stay closer to home by thru-hiking all 29 of the Scottish great trails, covering more than 1,900 miles.
"We hope to be complete by 2024 but feel ready and prepared to continue hiking into the new year through the winter.
“For 2023 we have chosen to support Scottish Autism.
“Eve and I are both autistic and are two of the main under-represented groups within the neuro-diverse community; female children and late-diagnosed males.”
The duo hope to challenge stereotypes and perceptions by giving the public a window into the realities of an unseen disability.
Indeed, autism is as varied and challenging and the landscapes they will be walking through.
Karen Wilson, income generation lead at Scottish Autism, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Ian and Eve have chosen to support us with their latest challenge.
“It is an epic undertaking, and we are absolutely in awe of their efforts to both raise awareness, and also undertake such a huge physical challenge.
"We are really looking forward to seeing the updates from Ian and Eve across their journey, and we look forward to seeing the total they are able to raise.
“We have no doubt that people will get right behind them as they did in 2022."
Visit ourspectrumadventures.com or find Our Spectrum Adventures on Facebook to follow their progress.
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