Dad soars 150ft over Clyde in charity effort
Cause close to heart
A West Mains dad has taken on a daring stunt – leaping from a 150ft platform to zipslide across the River Clyde.
David Aitken, 50, took on the heart-stopping challenge in aid of specialist charity Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland) which is a cause close to his heart.
David’s seven-year-old son Jack has hydrocephalus.
Daredevil David reached speeds of 40mph as he soared through the air, raising over £250 in the process.
He was part of a group of 260 fundraisers, which included a number of the charity’s members as well as corporate partners, who took on the brave challenge that was held over two days.
Funds raised from the “Glide the Clyde” event will be used to provide personalised home and hospital support to families in Scotland affected by the lifelong and complex conditions of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.
Jack was diagnosed with hydrocephalus aged three after David noticed that his head was slightly larger than normal.
After having an MRI scan, Jack underwent several surgeries to drain the fluid from his brain and alleviate pressure inside his skull. Now Jack is not letting his condition hold him back.
David said: “The help SBH Scotland has given us is invaluable. Jack goes to the centre in Cumbernauld on a regular basis where he’s has made lots of friends that he can play with and talk to.
“Our support worker, Kerry, comes to our house to chat to Jack and play with him too, which he loves. He’s a wee chatterbox and an absolute star. We are so grateful to have assistance from the charity so I wanted to say thank you.”
Jack said:“I was very excited to see my daddy zipline the Clyde and I love him very much.”
●Visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/david-aitken4