Dad to perform phenomenal charity Highland fling at Cowal Highland Gathering
News Release 15.07.09 (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)
Multiple world highland dancing champion Gareth Mitchelson, 41 of Monifeith, will attempt a phenomenal 50 step highland fling challenge at this year’s Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon. The ambitious challenge is to raise awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and the associated charity Action Duchenne.
A normal highland dance, at competition level, entails six to eight steps. Gareth’s 50 step highland fling is therefore set to be physically demanding, requiring incredible skill and determination. The father of three successfully reached his sponsored 40 step challenge back in April this year and can be seen on You Tube.
Also known as the ‘Fling for Logan’, the challenge was created after Gareth’s four year old son Logan was last year diagnosed with DMD, news that has left Gareth and his wife Donna heartbroken. DMD is a genetic progressive muscle wasting disease almost exclusively affecting young boys. Young men with the condition die in their late teens or are left wheelchair bound and unable to move unaided by the time they reach their early teens. Though currently there is no cure for DMD, new genetic research is underway in the UK to find ways of replacing or fixing the faulty dystrophin gene but held back due to lack of funding and awareness. Action Duchenne is a charity who seeks to promote new research and clinical trials.
As highland dancing has played a huge part in Gareth & the entire Mitchelson clan’s lives, Gareth turned to the highland dancing community for support in raising funds for Logan’s care and for help in raising money and awareness for Action Duchenne.
Gareth Mitchelson said: “Cowal Highland Gathering is one of the most significant events in the highland dancing calendar so it will make the perfect venue for the 50 step challenge. The event attracts thousands of spectators every year so it will be a great opportunity to raise awareness of Action Duchenne and the Fling for Logan campaign. I am led to believe that this could be a world record attempt and hope to have further confirmation in the next few weeks. Thank you to all those involved for their support and generosity.”
Malcolm Barclay, Event Manager for Cowal Highland Gathering said: “Gareth is a close friend of Cowal Highland Gathering and an incredibly talented individual. We wish Gareth all the best success in his incredible challenge that has never been seen at Cowal before. With 700 highland dancers and thousands of supporting spectators, we are confident that Cowal Highland Gathering will make the perfect platform to stage this incredible marathon and raise awareness of such a worthy cause.”
The 50 Step Fling will take place at 2pm on Saturday 29th August in Cowal Highland Gathering’s new ceilidh tent. Donation opportunities will be available at the event. Also featuring in the ceilidh tent on the Saturday are bagrock sensation the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and highland favourites Skerryvore.
Cowal Highland Gathering 2009, one of the world’s largest and most spectacular highland gatherings, takes place at Dunoon Stadium, Argyll from Thursday 27th to Saturday 29th August, 9am to 6pm each day. For tickets and more information visit www.cowalgathering.com or telephone 01369 703 206. For more information on Fling for Logan please visit www.flingforlogan.com.
…ends….
For more information please contact:
Pauline Foster
PR Manager
Pure Shores PR
+ 44 (0) 1631 569 651
+ 44 (0) 7791573247
pauline@pureshorespr.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
- Interviews with Gareth Mitchelson are available. Please contact Pauline Foster, as above, to arrange.
- For more information on Fling for Logan and to see Gareth and the 42 step fling in action via You Tube please visit www.flingforlogan.com.
Action Duchenne:
- Action Duchenne is a charity set up in the UK by parents, family members & supporters of young people with DMD who demanded that a cure or viable long-term treatment is found. The charity seeks to promote new research and clinical trials and also maintains the DMD registry – a UK national register of people with DMD which is used to match trials with people.
- For more information, log onto www.actionduchenne.org.
Cowal Highland Gathering Programme Details:
- Thursday: Highland Dancing; Classic Cars; Owl Display & the 5km Race
- Friday: Highland Dancing; Solo Piping; Heavy Athletics; School Athletics
- Saturday: Highland Dancing; Pipe Band Championship; Heavy Athletics, Wrestling; Ceilidh Tent; Children’s Entertainment Tent; Phoenix Flames Cheerleading squad; March Past & Fireworks
- All three days: Food Arena with Food from Argyll and licensed bar.
- Ticket prices: Thurs - £4 Adult/£1 Child; Fri - £6 Adult/£1 Child; Sat - £10 in advance or £14 on the day Adult /£2 Child
Festival Sponsors:
McArthur Property Group, Cowal Building and Plumbing Supplies, Loch Lomond Home and Garden Centres, Stewart Mcnee (Dunoon) Ltd, Argyll Holidays, Inveraray Jail, Corona Extra, Western Ferries, UKA, BATD, SDTA, Argyll and Bute Council.