Chef enjoys heartwarming response to Arctic venture aimed at boosting ‘precious’ charity

MARTIN WILLIAMS

prestigious restaurants such as the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Balmoral Hotel on Princes Street and Skibo Castle in the Highlands, has already raised £4,897 for his cause through an online fundraising page.

He admitted some may view the Arctic trek as “a bit extreme” but insisted: “The round-the-clock support and care St Columba’s Hospice provide for patients and their families is no small feat and I wanted to do something equally worthy.

“St Columba’s is a charity that is dedicated in providing specialist care for patients with a range of illnesses including motor neurone disease, heart and respiratory conditions, cancer and many more – and holds a very special place in my heart.

“Having had members of my own family suffer from cancer, St Columba’s Hospice were there to provide genuine care and help to us. I therefore want to raise money for them because I truly believe no one should feel powerless in the face of such pain and difficulty.

“I want to raise money for them because I believe in family and community and the vital importance of each.”

The 46-year-old chef, who was born and raised in Leith, is no stranger to fundraising for charity.

He received an MBE for services to the food industry and to charity, having supported and worked closely with Sick Kids Edinburgh, MacMillan Cancer Research, the Scottish Blood Service, Food Train, Scottish Air Ambulance, St Columba’s

Hospice and the Back Up Trust.