Local family scale new fundraising heights for Hospice

This year will see St Andrew’s Hospice host their 12th Annual Ben Nevis Challenge.  In advance of the climb on Saturday 30th September, Richard Trott from Chapelhall, one of the first participants to register for this year’s event, explains his motivation for taking part in the challenge along with his wife Lana and friends.

Richard is taking on this challenge in memory of his mother, Mary:

“My mum Mary passed away in 2012 and spent her last few weeks at St Andrew’s Hospice and we can’t thank them enough for the care they gave her and the support they gave to me and my family.”

Local family scale new fundraising heights for HospiceThe Ben Nevis Challenge 2017 is the latest in a long list of events Richard and his family have taken part in to raise funds for the Airdrie-based charity:

“Over the past five years myself, Lana and an amazing group of friends have taken part in a number of events for St Andrew’s. We’ve already tackled Ben Nevis, The West Highland Way, Muddy Muckers, It’s a Knockout and with our little boy Logan (5), we’ve done 5 Santa Dashes which he loves to be a part of and it has become a family Christmas tradition.”

In order to reach their fundraising target, Richard and his family and friends have been keeping busy:

“So far my friend Martyn Stewart & I have done a sponsored shaved of our hair and beards. We also have some other events planned including raffles, bake sales and another member of our team is planning a charity night.

Katie Williamson from the Hospice’s Fundraising Team said: “Richard and Lana, like so many locals, are brilliant supporters of St Andrew’s Hospice and continue to support our events every year.

“As you will know we depend heavily on support from the general public to help us continue to raise the funds needed to maintain our specialist care services.  We have to raise £88,000 to help support up to 120 patients and family members who need us each week throughout North & South Lanarkshire.”

Local family scale new fundraising heights for HospiceMark Gillespie, Site IT Support Engineer  at Terex Trucks, who are supporting the event for the tenth year, has also shared his motivations for taking part in the challenge: ““I‘ve been keen to volunteer for cancer charities after losing my wife Debra to the illness in 2013. I took up hillwalking as a hobby before I joined Terex in 2015, so when I heard of the companies long standing support, and knowing the vital services that all hospices provide, I simply couldn’t say no.”

Having taking part in the Ben Nevis Challenge in 2015, Mark recalled: ““The whole day was very well planned, the Hospice staff couldn’t have been any more helpful, from the welcome in the morning to the ceremony in the evening. The overwhelming sense of achievement I got when I reached the top was the highlight of the whole experience. It’s something that will live with me for the rest of my life.”

If like Richard and Lana Trott you fancy setting yourself a challenge this year, there is still time to register.  Participants are supported by Mountain Rescue Guides, as well as having the Hospice’s own team of experienced climbers and a group of fully qualified first aiders on hand.  Katie added “Our annual Ben Nevis Challenge really is a memorable, fun weekend, and there is a fantastic sense of camaraderie between the participants”.

To find out more about the Ben Nevis Challenge and to register online, click here. Alternatively, you can call the Fundraising Team on 01236 766951.