Nairn lady with osteoporosis marks 80th birthday with 10-mile trek raising £2000 for Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS)
A Nairn lady living with a bone-weakening condition marked her 80th birthday by walking the full circumference of the Isle of Cumbrae — raising more than £2000 for the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS).
Liz Marshall was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2023 after suffering with agonising pain from her sciatic nerve.
She had gradually become more ‘stooped’ due to undetected spinal fractures, and went for a bone density scan after a friend suggested that she may have the condition.
Inspired by her regular trips to the island as a child, Ms Marshall was determined to complete the challenge to raise funds for the ROS.
She said: “My son David did the walk with me and we both had an amazing day - the sun shone until the last two miles! People stopped us along the way to donate, which was very kind and made the day. I’ve been overwhelmed by everyone’s support.
“I wanted to raise awareness of the condition, since osteoporosis wasn’t something that I ever thought would be a problem for me — many people don’t know about it. It’s important to keep exercising to keep your bones strong, and I walk every day.
“I felt like my world had fallen apart when I received the diagnosis, but through joining the ROS I discovered a new support family to take away my fears. You have to take whatever life throws at you.”
Ms Marshall was no stranger to long distance walks — having completed The West Highland Way walk of 96 miles on a number of occasions prior to her diagnosis.
However the 10-mile route was a daunting prospect for someone who now uses a walker mobility aid to get around daily, and who once couldn’t get in or out of bed due to severe pain.
Also known as the “silent disease” due to its lack of symptoms and the vast scale of underdiagnosis, osteoporosis affects approximately 3.5 million people in the UK, according to ROS data.
It causes bones to lose their strength, with sufferers sometimes breaking bones after falls from a standing height, or even as a result of a cough or sneeze.
Half of women over the age of 50 are expected to break a bone due to the condition, while men and younger people with osteoporosis risk factors are also affected.
Talking about the fundraised, Jordan Hills, Royal Osteoporosis Society fundraising officer said: “We’re so thankful to Liz for embarking on such a significant adventure to mark her special birthday milestone, and for choosing to dedicate her birthday to raising awareness of the condition.
“We know that osteoporosis doesn’t just break bones, it breaks lives, and Liz’s sponsorship will help to fund our life-changing research.
“Completing the hike is such a fantastic achievement and she should be very proud.”
The ROS have an online osteoporosis risk checker, which has so far seen 460,000 people take the questionnaire to assess their own bone health.
You can support Ms Marshall’s fundraiser by donating on her Just Giving page.