Keys worker
Rebecca, 98, plays piano every day for 100 days to raise funds for the NHS
A 98-YEAR-OLD greatgrandmother is raising money for the NHS by playing the piano every day for 100 days.
Rebecca Parker, a member of St John’s Parish Church in Carluke, South Lanarkshire, is more than halfway through her quest despite having arthritis in her hands.
She plays traditional Highland Dancing and Scottish tunes on a baby grand piano at Mcclymont House care home in Lanark, bringing a smile to the faces of fellow residents and staff.
Mrs Parker, who also played the accordion and fiddle in her youth, said she wanted to help NHS Lanarkshire as it continues to battle the Covid-19 crisis.
She was inspired by Captain Tom Moore who raised nearly £33 million for NHS Charities Together by walking 100 lengths of his garden.
Mrs Parker, who grew up in Broadford on the Isle of Skye and used to be a primary school teacher, said: “My mother was a fine pianist and she taught me.
“I get a fine big cushion to sit on and I like to play some Scottish tunes.”
Rev Dr Elijah Obinna, minister of St John’s Parish Church, described Mrs Parker, who has raised £1,350 through her online fundraising page so far, as an “amazing lady”.
“Each time I visit her and sit and listen to her stories, her testimony, I leave feeling really inspired,” he said.
“She has an amazing heart and is very godly.
“I am very impressed, proud and excited that she is raising money for the NHS in this way.”
Charles Delaney, manager of Mcclymont House, said Mrs Parker’s piano playing lifted people’s spirits and put a smile on their faces.
“Rebecca’s faith and her church are very important to her and she is doing this to replicate what Captain Tom did to support the NHS.
“She is a remarkable woman, inspiring and selfless.
“The fact that she is 98 and still determined to continue helping people in the wider community is inspiring.”
Money raised by Mrs Parker will be given to Lanarkshire Health Board Endowment Fund which invests donations to improve patient health.
As reported earlier this month, a great-grandmother climbing the equivalent of the height of Suilven on her stairs passed the £400,000 mark with her effort.
Margaret Payne, 90, has also received a greeting from the other side of the world from a fellow climber inspired by her effort.
The two-month fundraising challenge, which will benefit NHS charities, Highland Hospice and the RNLI, will see her climb the staircase at her Sutherland home 282 times – the equivalent height of 2,398ft high Suilven, which she first scaled as a young girl. Initially, she had hoped to raise £10,000 for the NHS and Highland Hospice but her total spiralled as the effort captured the public imagination.
Mrs Payne is delighted with the support from the public and is urging people to keep on giving.
“It is wonderful,” she said. “I never dreamt it would make this sort of money.
“I am managing to keep going. I am gradually getting there.
“Some days I manage to do the stairs four or five times, so I must be getting fitter!” Her daughter Nicky, who is with her, also posted an online greeting from New Zealand posted by her friend Julie Wagner, who she supported at base camp last November when she became the oldest woman in the world to summit Ama Dablam.
Ms Wagner was 66 when she climbed the 22,494 ft high peak in Nepal.
In a video message she hailed Mrs Payne for her achievements to date “for such a great cause”. She said Nicky had given her encouragement and support on her effort. “I offer you support for your climbing goal as a much younger climber.”
Another message from a Donna Jones and family states: “Walking that distance in a straight line is amazing but doing it whilst climbing stairs is just incredible.
“Your generation just keeps on reminding us of the rewards of putting others before ourselves.
“Keep going you super woman.”
Mountaineering legend Sir Chris Bonington, whose career has included four expeditions to Mount Everest, posted on his social media channels about the feat.
He said: “I am hugely inspired and impressed by Margaret’s wonderful effort in climbing Suilven on her stairs at home. Suilvan also is my very favourite mountain, which I first climbed in 1952 as a schoolboy with a friend. The view from the top is one of the most wonderful in the world and one that I have always held in my heart.
“It gives me special pleasure to share Margaret’s love of this mountain.”.”