Garry MacDonald hopes to raise cash for the young family of his sister Helen, who passed away aged 37 last year.
Garry MacDonald will walk from Edinburgh Castle to Glasgow Green (Image: DAILY RECORD)
A Come Dine With Me star is set to walk 50 miles from Edinburgh to Glasgow dressed as Mrs Claus in memory of his sister
Big-hearted Garry MacDonald, from Govan in Glasgow, will don red stilettos and an Ann Summers suit for the trek from Edinburgh Castle to Glasgow Green in a bid to raise cash for the young family of his sister Helen, who passed away suddenly last year aged just 37.
The former NHS nurse, who worked at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, left behind her three children Gavin Jnr, 12, Quinn, 7, and Cameron, 8, who will struggle without their mum this Christmas.
He looked up to his sister(Image: Supplied)
Catering manager Garry became a TV sensation when he won the Channel 4 cooking show earlier this year. He dedicated his victory to “best pal” Helen after revealing his family’s tragedy.
Garry, 36, told the Record his sister would have said his fundraising stint was “crazy”.
He said: “My sister was my biggest role model and my go-to person. I don’t ever want her to be forgotten. It’s always going to be me and her.
“If there was one thing I could do it would be to help my sister’s kids. They are dealing with the loss of their mum and times are tough – especially at Christmas.
Garry has been training for the challenge(Image: DAILY RECORD)
“I know it’s going to be sore, but it won’t be any more torture than losing Helen.”
Before her death, Helen had been forced to give up the job she loved most to become a full-time carer for her son. When she died, her partner Gavin had to give up work to care for their children full-time.
Garry said fundraising helps him keep Helen close. Kind wellwishers have already donated £1,4000 to a GoFundMe page leaving him “overwhelmed”.
“Doing this helps keep my sister’s memory alive. It means I can still talk about her,” he said. “Christmas time is incredibly difficult for anyone who has lost someone. The support I have had has been unbelievable.”
Garry is getting ready for the walk(Image: Supplied)
He will set off next month(Image: DAILY RECORD)
Garry joked he has already begun a regimented training regime – taking a pair of heels to the gym with him.
He added: “A lot of women always say to me about how they can’t get out of the car in heels, never mind walk 50 miles.”
Garry will take on his 50 mile walk next month on December 13.
He’s aiming to complete the journey in 24 hours, inviting supporters to join him along the way.
To donate, visit his GoFundMe here.
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