Margaret Payne (90) sees fundraiser in aid of NHS and Highland Hospice smash past £100,000 mark after winning fans across the UK for her efforts during the Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown; Sutherland woman is seeking to climb the equivalent of Suilven after being inspired by Captain Tom Moore's garden laps fundraiser
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A DETERMINED OAP's bid to climb the equivalent of Suilven to raise funds for the NHS and Highland Hospice has smashed through the six-figure barrier.
Despite an initial target of just £1000, 90-year-old Margaret Payne's charity fundraiser has shattered the £100,000 mark - and was standing at more than £113,000 at 3pm this afternoon.
Once Gift Aid is factored into account, the total raised climbs to a mighty impressive £138,000.
The sum is a huge jump on where it was just hours earlier. At 11.30am, the fund stood at just shy of £78,000.
And with further public support - including backing from her local MP Jamie Stone, that figure is set to rise still further overnight.
The 90-year-old intends to climb the equivalent height of Suilven - some 2398ft - by repeatedly walking up the stairs in her home at Ardvar.
And Margaret, who first climbed Suilven for real as a 15 -year-old during the war, believes it will take her about two months to complete her virtual challenge.
Margaret was inspired to raise funds for the NHS and Highland Hospice amid the continued coronavirus lockdown - after seeing the efforts of celebrated 99-year-old, Captain Tom Moore.
He hit the headlines, and raised millions of pounds for the NHS, by completing 100 laps of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday.
Margaret began her challenge on Easter Sunday, and completed three flights before lunch.
To donate to her fundraising campaign, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretPayneArdvar-SuilvenChallenge
