August 29, 2009
2:00 pm	to	2:30 pm

Multiple world highland dancing champion, 41 year-old Gareth Mitchelson of Monifeith, will attempt a phenomenal 50 step highland fling challenge at this year’s Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon.  He may well establish a new record but his aim, even in the attempt, 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 skill, determination and concentration.  He successfully reached his sponsored 40 step challenge back in April this year and can be seen doing it on You Tube.

This is also known as the ‘Fling for Logan’, because the challenge was created after Gareth’s four year old son Logan was diagnosed last year 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. The general prognosis is for being wheelchair bound and unable to move unaided by the early teens or death in the late 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 it is 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 says: ‘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 every possible success in an 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 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.

Donations will be welcomed at the event.

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