Margaret Payne (90) raises £322,000 and counting in her charity fundraiser in aid of the NHS and Highland Hospice; she has been seeking to climb the equivalent height of Suilven on her Sutherland home's stairs

A NONAGENARIAN'S epic challenge to climb the equivalent height of Suilven on her staircase has now netted more than £322,000.

Margaret Payne (90) has been raising money for the NHS to help out health services during the coronavirus pandemic. She is also hoping to use the funds to "give some support" to the Highland Hospice.

And to do so she has been aiming to climb the eight-and-a-half feet tall flight of stairs at her home in Ardvar, Sutherland, a total of 282 times.

She hopes that this should see her reach Suilven's lofty 2398ft height in around two months.

And this week she passed her latest milestone after walking a third of the way towards her goal.

Meanwhile, her online fundraising page continues to tick along. At midday on Wednesday she had raised £322,582.81 - some 3225 per cent higher than her original £10,000 goal.

When Gift Aid is added to her total she is closing in on raising £400,000 for the NHS and Highland Hospice.

Visit her Virgin Money Giving page at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretPayneArdvar-SuilvenChallenge

to donate to the cause.

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