'Surreal' star-studded moment in spotlight for plucky Wester Ross 'climb every mountain' man (82) who honoured his sick wife with epic charity JustGiving fundraising round of all Scotland's Munros
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THE heartfelt efforts of an 82-year-old Wester Ross man who inspired people around the world with a poignant fundraising drive inspired by his beloved wife have been celebrated.
Nick Gardner's round of all Scotland’s 282 Munros has raised around £80,000 for charity for Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis sufferers like his wife, Janet.
When he turned 80 and she was forced to move into a care home due to her condition, he realised he desperately needed a new focus to help his mental state and great sense of loss.
What started as a lonely two-year quest from his base at Aultbea gathered momentum as fellow outdoors enthusiasts heard about the grandfather-of-four's effort and offered to accompany him to various peaks.
By the time he finished at Cairn Gorm, he was welcomed by a guard of honour at the top having touched many hearts along the way.
That saw him facing the "surreal" scenario of being celebrated at the star-studded JustGiving Awards at Camden Roundhouse in London as winner of the Endurance Fundraiser of the Year accolade.
The audience heard how he wanted "to climb every mountain to make his wife, Janet, better".
Until there is a cure for dementia, he decided to raise as much money as possible to make sure others don't have to face such a cruel disease alone.
Reaching the top of Cairn Gorm meant he had climbed more than 500,000ft (152,000m) – the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest 17 times.
After the presentation by TV personality Josh Patterson, Mr Gardner took time to recognise many of the younger award winners whose stories were also told on the night.
He said: "I feel like an imposter here having seen what those children went through, the charities they have supported and the work they have done. It brought tears to my eyes.
"I am so pleased to be able to accept this award from you all, and many thanks to everyone that has supported me on my challenge. I find this an unbelievably surreal experience. Climbing the Munros was surreal, but this has beaten it hands down! I’m so grateful to everyone and thank you to JustGiving – thank you very much!"
Since the last JustGiving Awards in 2019, 1.5 million people have helped raise over £2 billion for good causes through the platform.
Pascale Harvie, president of JustGiving, said the awards "put a well-deserved spotlight on those doing good and spreading kindness", adding: "After three years, we’re delighted to be able to come together at this inspirational event and celebrate the incredible fundraisers and charities working hard to leave the world a little better than when they found it.”
Mt Gardner meanwhile shows no signs of letting up and is already planning another long-distance venture.
Earlier he told us: "I’m just an ordinary bloke who loves the mountains, but I do hope my story will inspire people long after I’ve kicked the bucket."
