Allan steps up to scale new heights
AN East End councillor scaled new heights to coin in cash for a mental health charity. Dennistoun man Allan Casey and friends climbed Ben Nevis on Saturday to raise funds for SAMH, the Scottish Association for Mental Health.
It was quite the feat for Mr Casey, who, until six weeks ago, had never climbed a Munro in his life.
Now, he’s conquered Britain’s highest peak and managed to raise more than £ 2000 for the Glasgowbased charity.
Mr Casey said: “It was tricky and a lot harder than I expected it to be.
“I thought I was fairly well prepared and the length of time it took was exhausting.
“But, it was well worth end.”
Mr Casey added: “During lockdown, a couple of us felt quite concerned about men’s mental health and the impact of lockdown on that.
“We decided, as a small group of us, to start doing hill walking, to try to get ourselves out at the weekend and clear the head and look after other.
“We did that over a it in the couple of weekends and decided it would be a good idea to go one step further and raise some much- needed money for SAMH, which is an important mental health charity.
“Six weeks before it was the first time I had done anything like that!
“I was fairly okay, but not the fittest person in the world. It was quite a challenge.”
The group of friends had to change their plans at the last minute due to new Covid- 19 restrictions, splitting into teams of two on Saturday.
“It was nothing I had ever done and in no way had ever come close to doing before,” Mr Casey added. “We had to adapt the plans because of the coronavirus guidelines.
“Adhering to the guidelines and the travel restrictions did make it quite difficult.
“We managed to do it within the guidelines and raise the much- needed money for SAMH.”
Founded in 1923, SAMH now works in more than 60 communities across Scotland.
The charity works with adults and young people, providing mental health social care support and further education.
You can still donate to Mr Casey’s fundraiser by visiting: https:// tinyurl. com/ y4h7va6t