Full marks to Busega Scotland stalwart Peter Hagenbuch, who has successfully completed extraordinary 50 miles  charitable walks, in one day, on his last 20 attempts. How incredible is that. Intrigued, Busega Scotland’s investigative reporter caught up with Peter, and asked him a series of searching questions. Exclusively, here are the answers.

Peter, how did you come up with the idea and when did you start? I grew up in Canterbury and was inspired by a 50-mile walk from Margate to Maidstone. I didn’t do that one but when I became treasurer of Milton Keynes Guide Dogs we were looking for fundraising ideas. That was in 1982, and I raised £159 walking from North London to Milton Keynes.

How many long distance walks have you done and how much money have you raised? This year will be my 30th and I have completed the 50 miles on 25 occasions, raising £51,689.

What charities have benefitted? I have supported 68 charities; my interests and loyalties have changed over the years. This year there are five in my local area of Lothian, five in Central and South America, four in East and Central Africa, two in Asia and one in Gaza.

The ultimate question – why do you do it? I do it to raise money for charities with which I have a personal involvement, more than for the challenge. It’s always hard, so I feel I have earned my sponsor money. Walking 50 miles has a kind of perverse attraction for me! Not many people do 50 mile walks, at least not year after year. My friends and family, work colleagues and even people I have never met, seem to appreciate the effort I make and respond with touching generosity and words of encouragement which help me keep walking when I feel like giving up!

One of Peter’s charities is Busega Scotland and the walk from Newbridge, West Lothian to Callander in Perthshire will be on 24th November. Please support his efforts, if you can, at
https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/peterh2018busegascotland

Thank you.