'Summit' in sight as great gran (90) hits halfway point in her Highland mountain challenge as she raises almost £400,000 for charities
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The summit of a Highland mountain is now in sight for an inspirational 90-year-old great grandmother as she hits the halfway point in a challenge which has raised almost £400,000 so far.
Margaret Payne is aiming to climb the stairs at her Sutherland home 282 times – the equivalent height of 2398ft high Suilven – and now has less than 1200ft to go.
When she began her challenge last month, she aimed to raise £10,000 for the NHS, Highland Hospice and the RNLI during the coronavirus pandemic but has been overwhelmed and humbled by the support from the public as she doggedly continues her ascent.
“I would like to thank each and every one for their heart-warming messages of support and generous donations which are providing greatly appreciated encouragement as I, slowly but surely, make my way up the mountain," she said.
"I am very much looking forward to enjoying a good rest at the summit, and celebrating with my family and my chosen charities."
Her mission was inspired by Captain Tom Moore who raised over £32 million for NHS Charities Together by walking 100 laps of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday.
On a personal level, she wanted to express her gratitude especially to the NHS, who helped care for her late husband Jim who passed away on Christmas Day last year and for the "continual outstanding" health support they had received while living in Sutherland over the last 40 years.
Mr Payne was also heavily involved in fundraising for Highland Hospice.
Suilven bears great significance to Margaret as it is the only peak she has ever climbed due to persistent knee problems throughout her lifetime.
She first reached the summit in 1944 at the age of 15, with her elder sister Elizabeth, two friends and dog Snowy, after being evacuated to Lochinver during World War II.
She has been supported every step of the way in her challenge by her eldest daughter Nicky McArthur, a New Zealand citizen, who returned to Scotland for her father’s memorial service in March when the coronavirus crisis hit.
“When mum and I dreamt up this challenge, neither of us could have imagined what has happened since," Nicky said.
"We have been blown away by the support that has galvanised around her fundraising mission from family, friends and kind strangers all over the world.
"I have witnessed everyday how this encouragement has provided the fuel to keep mum going, and it’s been fantastic for keeping her active and fit during this lockdown period."
She has also been supported in her challenge by Highland Hospice.
Andrew Leaver, the charity's head of fundraising, said: "Margaret and her late husband Jim have been great supporters of the hospice for many years so we were very pleased Margaret chose us to benefit from her fundraising.
"We really didn’t expect the public response and are overwhelmed with the support Margaret is receiving.
"As she climbs the second half of the mountain we will be with her every step of the way – and if lockdown restrictions are lifted a few of us plan to climb Suilven itself on her last day so that we all reach the summit together."
Her fundraising effort comes at a critical time for the hospice which has cancelled many of its fundraising activities and temporarily closed all of its shops due to the lockdown.
"We are facing a significant funding gap this year and income from Margaret’s mountain climb will help ensure our care and support for patients and families across the Highlands continues," Mr Leaver said.
"Margaret had initially estimated that it would take at least two months to complete her marathon climb, and earmarked the end of June as her target.
"However, as Margaret has climbed on, she has increased her daily average of stairs, from three to five flights per day, and she is hoping to reach the summit and commence the celebrations in mid-June.
"We hope Margaret, alongside Captain Tom Moore, has reminded others that, in the words of C.S. Lewis, ‘You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream’."
For further information and to make a donation go to Virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretPayneArdvar-SuilvenChallenge
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