Established by the Scots golfer in memory of his late mother, The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation is Hotel du Vin and Malmaison Group’s official charity in Scotland.  The hotel group aims to double the amount raised to date, taking the total to £200,000, with funds going towards the creation of two new Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres in Lanarkshire and Aberdeen.

Terry Butcher, manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, will join the Hotel du Vin and Malmaison team, which will be made up of General Managers, Regional Directors and CEO Robert Cook, amongst other staff.  The walkers will spend eight days walking the 73 miles of the Great Glen Way, from Inverness to Fort William, followed by the 93 mile West Highland Way, from Fort William.  The team will finish their grueling challenge in Milngavie on Friday 29 October.

Tiso's, the outdoor experience specialists, have sponsored ‘2 Ways in 8 Days’ by providing all the walkers kit, including jackets and trousers.  Members of Tiso's staff will be joining the walkers on various parts of the walk.

Robert Cook, CEO, Hotel du Vin and Malmaison, commented: “We have set ourselves a significant challenge with two great walks, back to back, totaling 166 miles in eight days – it is not going to be easy.  We are determined to succeed and hit our target of £200,000k.  Staff across our Scotland, England and Northern Ireland based hotels have shown real commitment and dedication, agreeing to take the challenge and give up annual leave to do so, in order to support Colin in this ambitious and important project.”

Colin Montgomerie, commented: “This has been a very busy month for me and leading the European team to victory in the 2010 Ryder Cup was undoubtedly the proudest moment of my professional career. The success of the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation over the past year has also given me great pride, but we simply could not have achieved what we have without the support and commitment of Robert Cook and the staff of Hotel du Vin and Malmaison.

“My family and I have experienced the devastation that a cancer diagnosis can cause but when my mother was diagnosed with the disease, we had no one to talk to and no one support us.  No one affected by cancer should have to suffer alone and I am so grateful to everyone who is selflessly giving up the next eight days to raise money to support this aim.”

Terry Butcher said: “I am delighted to be walking the first few hours with this intrepid group from Hotel du Vin and Malmaison, seeing them off from the City that I now call home. Last night I visited the Maggie's Centre at Raigmore Hospital and I was so impressed with the work they are doing to support people with cancer and I am happy to support Colin in his aim to build two more Maggie's Centres. Like many people, I was glued to the television earlier this month, so I am hoping he will re-live some of his experiences when he won the Ryder Cup during our walk together this morning.”

In Feburary 2010, EMF reached its first anniversary and announced the appointment of Edinburgh based architect Neil Gillespie, to build the first Elizabeth Montgomerie Building.  A new Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre will be built at Monklands Hospital, Lanarkshire, to provide practical and emotional support to cancer patients, their families and carers.  Designs for the building and the surrounding landscape are at an advanced stage and building works are expected to commence in early 2011.

Earlier this month, EMF was chosen as the official charity of the Ryder Cup and a second project, a Maggie’s Centre at Foresterhill Hospital in Aberdeen, will also be funded by the Foundation which has now raised almost £1m to date.   

In addition to the ‘2 ways in 8 days’ challenge, the leading lifestyle hotel group is also hosting a series of charity events, including Farmers Markets.  Throughout October and November a discretionary £1 per stay, 50p per burger and £1 per table for lunch or dinner will be added to guests’ bills to go towards the charity.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation to The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation can visit Hotel du Vin or Malmaison and make a direct donation at the hotel reception desk.