Best birthday by miles

To celebrate a 60th birthday most people might have a party to celebrate and relax with friends. But one energetic couple from Edinburgh have decided that turning 60 is a good opportunity to go for a walk – from John o’Groats to Land’s End!

David and Pru Jeffrey will both have turned 60 when they set off on their mammoth journey on Sunday 11 May and they are hoping to reach Land’s End in 75 days. They are undertaking the impressive challenge to raise money for Edinburgh based international development charity, Mercy Corps, after hearing an appeal for the charity on BBC Radio 4.

David, a palliative care consultant in the Borders said, “We were not aware of the wonderful work carried out by Mercy Corps and when we heard the appeal and discovered it was on our doorstep here in Edinburgh we decided to leap into action. We are keen walkers and thought this would be a fitting way to mark our 60th birthdays at the same time.”

The couple are hoping to raise £5,000 for the charity which will help fund Mercy Corps’ projects in India. Pru Jeffrey said, “We have always has a real interest in India, so to know that every footstep we take and every pound we raise will be helping to improve the lives of people there will spur us on our way, and ensure that we reach that finishing line.”

Director of Fundraising for Mercy Corps, Alison Cameron, said, “We are delighted that David and Pru have chosen Mercy Corps as the charity to benefit from their incredible challenge. They are a great example of how people can get active for charity and make a real difference to the lives of poor communities around the world.”

To sponsor David and Pru visit www.justgiving.com/davidandprujeffrey

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Contact:

Anna Clarkson, Communications Officer, Mercy Corps European Headquarters

tel: 0131 550 7533

aclarkson@uk.mercycorps.org

Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly impossible odds.  Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided over £650 million in assistance to people in 100 nations.  Supported by headquarter offices in Europe, North America and Asia, the agency's unified global programmes employ nearly 3,400 staff worldwide and reach more than 14.4 million people in more than 35 countries.  Over the last five years more than 90% of the agency's resources have been allocated directly to programmes that help people in need. For more information, visit www.mercycorps.org.uk

Mercy Corps is a proud recipient of the 2008 Fast Company/Monitor Group Social Capital Award.

Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly impossible odds.  Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided over £650 million in assistance to people in 100 nations.  Supported by headquarter offices in Europe, North America and Asia, the agency's unified global programmes employ 3,400 staff worldwide and reach more 14.4 million people in more than 35 countries.  Over the last five years more than 90% of the agency's resources have been used for programmes that help people in need.  For more information, visit www.mercycorps.org.uk

Mercy Corps European headquarters are at: 17 Claremont Crescent, Edinburgh, EH7 4HX, UK

Mercy Corps Scotland is a Registered Company No 208829 | Registered Charity No SC030289