The outlook is Windy for 48-hour run

Aw e l l - k n ow n a m a t e u r weatherman is storming his way through a series of tough sports challenges in an attempt to raise £25,000 for CHAS ( C h i l d r e n’s Hospices Across Scotland).

Windy Wilson is hoping conditions are per fec t when he attempts a 4x4x48 Challenge today.

The Auchterarder man intends to run for four miles every four hours for two days – with no sleep in between.

The keen sportsman is also hoping the sun will shine when he takes on a 10-day Kilimanjaro trek for CHAS in September next year.

Windy has already raised more than £7,000 of his £ 25,000 target for the Kinross-based children’s charity through his Just Giving page.

He said: “CHAS holds a place dear in my heart – not for personal reasons but for the wonderful work they do all over Scotland.

“I have met many parents who have to ld me first-hand just how much CHAS has helped them.

“I’ve visited Rachel House in Kinross on two occasions and it is a truly incredible place run by some really fantastic staff and volunteers.

“During my last visit I was invited to view the Rainbow Room – a place as a father I had been dreading stepping inside.

“I only felt great comfort knowing what a wonderful environment the children who had used this room had spent their last days in.

“I was so incredibly touched by the visit that I cried all the way home to Auchterarder.”

Windy is taking on the 4x4x48 challenge this week in place of the Chicago marathon . He a lso completed the Run 100, Raise 100 in September.

Over the years, the 54 - year- old has raised almost £95,000 for various charities including CHAS, Diabetes UK, SAMH, the SCAA, RNLI, Pr o s t a t e Cancer, as well as his local Scout group.

Windy said:

“If

I’m going to ask people to dip their hands in their pockets to donate to this wonderful charity then I have to give them something in return.

“Kilimanjaro has been on my bucket list for a while now and when the oppor tunity presented itself it was too good an offer to turn down.

“Trekking up the highest free-standing mountain in the world will be a massive undertaking for me as a 55year-old diabetic.

“It will be my birthday during the trek but I’m going to give it my best shot.”

CHAS Challenge events assistant Charlie Leavy said: “This money will go such a long way to help keep the joy alive for the many children and families we support right across Scotland who need our help now more than ever.

“We wish him the very best of luck for all of his forthcoming challenges.”

To donate to Windy’s cause visit https://justgiving. c om / fund r a i s in g / w i n d y w i l s o n kilimanjaro2021

ON HIS MARKS: Charity fundraiser Windy Wilson during training for the tough challenge.