A Cairneyhill man is taking part in the Aberdeen Kiltwalk to raise money for Scottish Autism.
Lee Montgomery was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, an autism-spectrum disorder, in May 2005. He also took part in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk to fundraise for the charity.
He said: “Since the pandemic my approach to things changed a little bit. I wanted to do it for something that was quite close to heart and for me was personal as well.
“I am quite single-minded with things, so to put myself in an environment with hundreds of people can be anxiety inducing.”
Lee was diagnosed in his 20s, which he described as “a total blindside".
“I’d been getting counselling for anxiety. I had one session with a specialist in the field and by the end of that session they found it quite apparent I was on the spectrum.”
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Currently in training for the Kiltwalk, every penny that Lee raises will be topped up by 50 per cent by the Hunter Foundation.
“Every penny that’s raised will directly benefit the charity,” he added.
Lee will also be taking on the Fife Pilgrim Way in anticipation of the charity event.
He said: “Me being on the spectrum as well, it gives me a chance to kind of challenge myself. I see it as my own challenge.”
Lee has set up a JustGiving page where he has set a target of £200, but he described his fundraising goal as “an open target”.
He will be participating in the Aberdeen Kiltwalk on Sunday, June 2.
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