Mountain men in charity challenge

Jimmy and pals to tackle three climbs in a day

A Rutherglen pensioner is to tackle the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales for charity – in just 24 hours.

Jimmy Munro, who stays in Burnside, will be leading a team that will climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon to raise cash for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The group decided to embark on the challenge after Marie Curie nurses helped care for Jimmy’s dying brother-in-law, Tam McGlone, who passed away last year.

On Friday, June 9 they will arrive at Ben Nevis at 5pm, and they hope to have completed all three by 5pm the following day, when they will hopefully reach the summit of Mount Snowdon in Wales.

Jimmy said: “After watching Tam battle bravely with cancer and everyone rallying to his aid, we knew it still wasn’t enough.

“Step in Marie Curie nurses, who were absolutely amazing. We knew they were good but never realised how good until we saw them in action.

“They were at Tam’s bedside from 10pm in the evening until 7am the next morning tending to him and keeping him comfortable through the night , even taking a little sponge to moisten his lips now and again.

“Sadly Tam passed away but it was very peaceful and that was mainly down to Marie Curie.

“Neil, who’s also part of the challenge team, his own mum and dad were cared for in the final days of their lives in a Marie Curie hospice, and he says he’ll be forever grateful for that.

“It’s very comforting to know that these fantastic people are there for all of us at these times and whenever needed.

“The three peaks challenge was something Andy and I had often talked about having a go at, and what better time than now we thought?”

Jimmy is aware of how big a task he is taking on.

He added: “The challenge is not for the faint hearted. The total height of ascent will be an enormous 11,180 feet and it will all be within 24 hours.

“It’s all very possible but it will be tough.”

Jimmy has previously taken on a string of challenges, including crossing the Sahara desert and climbing the highest mountains in Europe, South America and North America.

Last year the Reformer told how Jimmy, son Andy and eight-yearold granddaughter Isla had scaled Schiehallion in the Rannoch area of the Central Highlands .

Andy will be joining Jimmy on this trip too, and among the rest of the group are Tam’s son-in-law Alan Wilkinson and their friends Neil Leslie and Fraser Ainslie.

Andy’s colleague David Young has kindly taken on the task of driving them between the hills.

●Visit www.justgiving.com/ jimmymunro for more information and how to donate to their cause.

Sadly Tam passed away, but peacefully thanks to Marie Curie hospice