Nonagenarian's Suilven climbing challenge for NHS
A 90-year-old Sutherland woman is climbing the equivalent of Suilven to raise money for the NHS and Highland Hospice.
Margaret Payne of Ardvar, Assynt, has set herself the challenge of climbing the stairs of her home until she has ascended the same height as the iconic Lochinver mountain, which stands at 731 metres high or 2398 feet.
She started the challenge on Easter Sunday, notching up three flights before lunch, and so far has raised more than £4000 towards her target of £10,000.
Mrs Payne has calculated that climbing the 17 steps on her staircase represents around 8.5 feet and she will have to repeat the process 282 times in total.
“I think it is going to take me about two months,” she said.
Evacuated to Lochinver with her sister Elizabeth in 1944 during World War II, Mrs Payne first climbed Suilven at the age of 15. She has now lived in the Highlands for more than 40 years.
She sadly lost her husband Jim on Christmas Day.
“I would like to raise funds to support the NHS in particular at this difficult time and especially in return for the extraordinary support we have received personally at Ardvar," she said.
“In addition we are giving some support to Highland Hospice."
Her niece Isabelle Clifton-Brown said: “She is a true inspiration to our family.”
A spokeswoman for Highland Hospice said: “We’re delighted to have Margaret’s support, especially as her late husband was such a fantastic ambassador for Highland Hospice.
“Their daughter Nicky recently travelled all the way from New Zealand for her father’s memorial service and has been at home ever since because of the lockdown.
“She’ll be cheering on her mum all the way, and so will we.”
You can show Margaret your support by visiting her fundraising page at virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretPayneArdvar-SuilvenChallenge
If you’ve been inspired by Margaret’s story and would also like to do a sponsored challenge for Highland Hospice, email: events@highlandhospice.org.uk
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