Try summit special to help Maggie’s team

Adventurous fundraisers are being challenged to tackle the three highest summits in Lanarkshire in a single day to raise funds for cancer caring centre, Maggie’s.

The centre’s “Scottish three peaks challenge” takes place on Saturday, September 4, and involves climbing Tinto Hill, which is 711 metres high, plus the 732m Green Lowther, near Biggar, and reaching South Lanarkshire’s highest point, the top of 748m Culter Fell.

Organisers from Maggie’s Lanarkshire say the challenge is equivalent to “more than one-and-a-half times the height of Ben Nevis,” and are encouraging individuals and teams to sign up and begin the recommended training ahead of next month’s event.

It will conclude with a celebratory pie and pint; while the funds raised will help staff at the centre – located in the grounds of Monklands Hospital – to continue providing their programme of practical, emotional and psychological support to people with cancer and their loved ones.

Centre head Lorrie Cameron told the Advertiser: “We are excited to be launching this challenge and hope that people will embrace their lockdown fitness resolutions and get into the spirit.

“We rely almost entirely on voluntary donations and the funds raised will hugely help us to support people living with cancer, and I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who takes part.

“Cancer is possibly the most difficult experience of a person’s life and for many people the pandemic and restrictions have made life even harder, meaning our professional support is more needed than ever before.”

Maggie’s supporter Harris Carberry took on a munro-bagging and Ben Nevis challenge to raise funds for the charity, which has supported his family and is “very close to his heart”.

The 16-year-old said: “Maggie’s offers cancer patients and their families a safe place to relax, recharge and to talk through any concerns about what they’re facing.

“They do a great job and change many people’s lives for the better.

“Being out in the hills is a great way to help your mind and your body; for many people including me, it’s restorative and healing and everyone needs that at times.”

Participants can register for the hill climbing event at www.maggies.org/getinvolved/find-event/events/maggiesthree-peaks-scottish-challenge/

Cracking care Funds will help staff at the centre to continue to provide support