Published: Thursday, 18th June, 2009 8:50am

Pyrenees trek for charity

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A DUNBAR solicitor is swapping the legal landscape for the snow-capped ridges of the Pyrenees as he undertakes a 500-mile trek in aid of Cancer Research.

Alistair Mackie, 62, of Brooke and Brown solicitors, will attempt to traverse the Haute Route – a rugged high level hike along the Spanish-French border – in just six weeks.

Mountain-bound on July 1, the Mayville Park resident intends to raise thousands of pounds for charity in memory of friends and family who died from cancer.

'I"ve long admired the Pyrenees,' said Alistair, an avid Munro bagger who has experienced trekking in Pakistan, the west coast of America, Europe and Reunion Island.

'I hope to realise a long-held ambition to cross the whole range from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. I"m expecting numerous problems, including route finding, permanent glaciers, fierce storms and shortage of supplies, but it"s great to have the chance of fulfilling a challenge while raising money for a good cause.'

In his thoughts will be brothers-in-law Alan and Donald Moir, his Dunbar friend Frank Lendrum and former colleague Allison Cunningham, who all died prematurely from cancer.

Helping Alistair negotiate some of the toughest sections of the high altitude trek will be Dunbar Ramblers organiser John Meldrum, while his wife Diana will accompany Alistair in the Mediterranen – the home straight of this gruelling challenge.

Donations can be made at Brooke and Brown"s offices in 116 High Street, Dunbar, or through Alistair"s website: www.justgiving.com/amackie