A BIG-HEARTED son whose mum has Alzheimer’s walked 1800 miles from St Andrews to Rome to raise cash to fight the condition.

Peter Skelly’s mammoth solo trek – which lasted 200 days – raised more than £1000 for an Alzheimer’s charity.

Peter, 47, a telecoms software engineer, was keen to help people with Alzheimer’s because his mum Anne, 71, has been living with it for several years.

Once he reached Canterbury in Kent, he followed an ancient pilgrims’ trail to Rome, the Via Francigena.

This route led him through France and Switzerland and onward to Italy.

Peter, from Blantyre, Lanarkshire, said: “Walking to Rome was a fantastic experience, really tough at times but wonderful to be stepping out with a purpose.

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Peter’s mum Anne has lived with Alzheimer’s for several years

“There are so many people like my mum living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

“It’s really good to know that the money I’ve raised for Alzheimer’s Research UK will help find the treatments so urgently needed.

“My walk has also raised money for the support services Mum enjoys, provided by the Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland.”

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Peter took 200 days to walk from from St Andrews in the North East of Scotland to Rome, Italy

Peter was encouraged during his trek by the generosity and kindness of many people.

They included a woman in Essex who treated him to Christmas Day with her family after meeting him while she walked her dog.

Jodie Vaughan, of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This is an incredible achievement and we are hugely grateful to Peter for taking on this epic journey to support our vital work.”

Source: DailyRecord