Summit cookin’ on ben for Gary
Ben Nevis will be the unlikely venue for a fundraising dinner on July 28 as a group of hardy chefs hope to serve food on the summit of Britain’s highest mountain for one day.
Fort William chef Stewart MacLachlan is assembling a hardy team of volunteers to take on the epic challenge which will see them carry and then assemble cooking equipment on the top of Ben Nevis to feed hungry hillwalkers – all in the name of charity.
With the help of some local strongmen, Stewart is hoping to create a makeshift snack bar on the summit and serve hot food and snacks to people 4,411ft above sea level.
The aim is to raise funds for Gary Campbell, who is trying to fundraise £50,000 for specialist Multiple Sclerosis treatment.
The team will be taking donations from walkers and climbers keen to stop for a bite on the summit in return for freshly made burgers or even pizzas.
As well as this, team members will be on the hunt for signatures and sponsorship money in the days leading up to the walk.
Stewart, who works at Crannog Seafood Restaurant, has been wanting to do something to raise funds for his friend Gary’s stem cell treatment and finally came up with an idea that might inspire people to get involved.
‘I just thought it was a bit mad and so it would a good idea to raise awareness.
‘I had been thinking for a while of doing a fundraising dinner for Gary, but one day it just came to me – why don’t we do it at the top of the Ben?
‘I phoned Gary’s sister Maria and she said it was a mad idea and that just made me want to do it more. The idea has actually made everyone take notice and jump on board.’
Gary, 29, was diagnosed with primary progressive Multiple Sclerosis last year and his friends and family launched a fundraising campaign so he can receive hematopoietic stem cell treatment (HSCT) in Mexico.
Stewart, whose wife is Gary’s cousin, is urging as many people to get involved with the event and to carry, cook or just support the cause. ‘The more the merrier,’ he added.
‘It’s a fun day out, so if people want to come along then they are more than welcome. It’s about people getting involved and raising money and awareness.’
Lochaber strongman Jeremy Vickers aims to carry – perhaps with the help of an assistant – most of the cooking equipment, including gas cylinders, a pizza oven and furniture to the top and back within a day.
Jeremy and his team of helpers aim to leave from Achintee as early 4am on July 28 to make sure they get to the top in plenty time to set up in preparation for the second group of cooks and servers.
Once everything is set up and ready to go on the summit, Stewart will spend the late morning and after- noon cooking and preparing snacks for those who manage to conquer the Ben.
Helping Stewart at the makeshift kitchen will be Maria Campbell, Gary’s sister, who is also a professional chef in Fort William.
With the walk taking place on July 28, Stewart is hoping there are plenty of climbers who will take up his offer of a burger, and, more importantly, that the weather holds up.
To support the team, visit their JustGiving page or join the Summit Cookin’ Facebook event.
The team are aiming to raise £5,000 on the day, which Stewart thinks is not an unrealistic target.
‘If you’re going to do something mad you might as well just go the whole hog and try raise as much as you can. We are just going for it!’