Monumental challenge by iron man Paul
Charities to benefit from tough run
A Stirling man will carry out a first at the Wallace Monument on Saturday, December 29 by running up the 220ft-high tower for charity.
And as if that doesn’t sound tough enough, he’ll do it while wearing a heavy weighted vest after running there from Bannockburn.
Trainee solicitor Paul Jamieson is carrying out the five-mile run to raise money for his former employers Stirling District Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Stirling mental health charity Action In Mind – where he is a member of the board of trustees – Macmillan Cancer Support and the PDSA.
The 26 year-old said: “I wanted to do something unique. I though of this particular challenge because the two sites are well-known landmarks in Stirling.
“The Wallace Monument is clear for everyone to see and I used to live across from the Bannockburn heritage centre, so it was always on my mind.
“The 15kg weighted vest was just for fun. When Wallace Monument staff told me that no-one had ever run up it before, it seemed like the perfect thing to do.”
Paul has been training with the weighted vest on as much as possible since May with runs around Stirling including up to the base of the monument itself - and the use of a gym treadmill.
As well as gym training he has also been taking part in karate and crossfit activities.
Paul, who moved to Stirling from Kilmarnock in 2015, said: “I had been set to carry out the challenge on September 29, but unfortunately I injured my knee and was unable to do it on that date.
“At first I was terrified of the prospect, but now with more training I feel more confident.
“When I practice running up the hill to the base of the monument my legs are burning, and the thought of running up the monument itself after that certainly does terrify me.
“But the fact I am scared of it tells me that I must do it.”
He has set a fundraising target of £500 for the challenge which he has almost reached.
To make a donation go to: https:// uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ PaulJamieson5
At first I was terrified but with more training I feel more confident