Among the thousands who have participated in the End-To-End walk over the years are some whose stories might be filed under Profiles in Courage. Against seemingly impossible odds they have attained their goals and crossed the finish line in triumph.

Mr. MacDonald Tucker is one example.

For years he had waged an increasingly difficult battle with asthma. In and out of hospital for treatment, there were times when his spirits were very low as this frustrating and frightening disease sought to gain the upper hand.

Like many asthmatics, Mr. Tucker struggled to lead a normal life, but it wasn't easy. As a construction worker, there were days when he felt really ill but forced himself to carry on. The dirt, sand and cement dust of building sites certainly didn't help, but he had to earn a living.

As things got worse, and he became more and more discouraged about the quality of his life, a relative suggested that he consult Nurses Practice owner, Mrs.

Liz Boden, who specialises in teaching asthmatics how to manage their disease and control its symptoms.

Climbing the brightly coloured stairs to Mrs. Boden's busy South Shore Road practice, MacDonald Tucker literally stepped into a new life.

Mrs. Boden analysed his lifestyle, diet, and working conditions, and then created his "prescription'' for a healthier life.

Thanks to her advice, which he faithfully follows, including work-related adjustments (he is now an electrician), Mr. Tucker has gained the upper hand on his disease, and with it a brighter future.

So grateful is he, in fact, that when he learned the asthma charity, Open Airways, founded by his mentor Mrs. Boden, was to be a beneficiary of this year's End-To-End fundraising, he knew what he had to do.

"When I heard Liz was going to be able to help others, I said: "Well, I've got to walk for that. It's my way of saying `Thank You' for changing my life,'' he explained.

Mr. Tucker's gesture was not only remarkable for someone who so recently had been unable to climb stairs without getting out of breath, but he was 66 years old, and had never walked such a distance before.

Despite private misgivings that he would be able to complete even a part of the distance, Mr. Tucker's devoted wife Eunice was so inspired by his determination that she, too, set out to accompany him.

She was, however, gracious enough to let her husband set his own pace, and to her surprise it wasn't long before she lost sight of him completely. Still anxious about his health, she enquired at a water stop whether or not anyone had seen him. "Oh yes,'' she was told, "he passed here about an hour ago!'' Sure enough, Mr. Tucker had settled into a sprightly pace and was chewing up the miles like a pro.

At the Collector's Hill water stop, he heard a champion's cheers -- as would all walkers for Open Airways. Mrs. Boden, a group of her patients, and their families, blew bubbles, waved little windmills and shouted their hearts out.

With a quick wave of his hand, Mr. Tucker kept right on truckin' - he had a date with the Dockyard clock.

Six hours later, looking as fit and fresh as if he'd been out for a casual stroll, McDonald Tucker's dream came true.

Airing it out To cheers, tears and hugs, he fulfilled his promise to himself and all those who had encoraged him and pledged financial support.

"I really wanted to do this because I was very low and Liz helped me a lot,'' he said. "She does a wonderful job, so I thought if I could walk as my contribution that would encourage someone else to walk. That was my main objective. I gave myself a time, which I beat. I didn't know if I could do it, but now I'm here I really believe it! The Lord is good.'' For her part, nurse Boden was ecstatic. Eyes brimming with emotion, she said at the finish line: "I am so proud of him.'' GIVING SOMETHING BACK -- MacDonald Tucker