CHARITY BOOST
A Burnside woman tackled her fear of heights head-on - and raised hundreds of pounds for charity in the process.
Gill Gowran, 48, and her 15-year-old son Ross, a Stonelaw High pupil, agreed to take on a zipline challenge to earn funds for MS Scotland.
And the duo pulled in nearly £750 for the good cause after completing the task, which took place at Crieff Hydro.
Gill has a family member who has MS, and last year she previously took on the challenge of climbing Ben Nevis overnight.
This year she had an even tougher task to overcome.
She said: “Last year a group of us did the night hike and we felt the benefit of doing that.
“There was a real buzz afterwards, just from raising money and helping out a good cause.
“This year my son was up for doing something as well so I wanted to do something that he would be able to do too, and I knew the zipline challenge was something he’d really enjoy.
“I don’t like heights at all so it was less good for me.
“It was a great challenge. When I got up there to do it the guy who was getting me ready told me that I was actually shaking.
“Everyone told me I’d enjoy it once I actually did it, but I was just glad to get it over and be back on the ground. I had thought it would be more like a rollercoaster, but with something like that you’re still in a confined space. With the zipline you’re free and your arms and legs can still move around and go all over the place. “Ross really loved it though.” Gill believes that fundraising challenges like the zipline effort can help raise both awareness and much needed funds for the charity.