Night climbers wanted to help Oban charity
A dad who experienced the loss of two baby girls is calling for people to join him on a night climb of Ben Nevis.
Andrew Simpson, who is a co-founder of Anam Cara Fasgadh providing respite accommodation for bereaved families, will be climbing 1,345 metres above sea level the weekend before Fathers’ Day 2020.
Funds raised from the hike will go towards Anam Cara Fasgadh opening its first respite caravan at Tralee Bay. The ultimate aim is to have a network of holiday homes and hopes are that the Tralee one will open next year.
The Big Steps for Small Feet hike has been organised by another of the charity’s trustees, Michael McGuire from
Fort William, in memory of his stillborn son Kyle.
It aims to raise funds for 10 charities working to support bereaved families every day. As well as Anam Cara Fasgadh, the others are Bliss, Child Bereavement UK, The Lullaby Trust, Sands (Stillbirth and neonatal death charity), Sands Lothians, Star for Harris, Twins Trust, Together for Short Lives and Tommy’s.
Andrew, who lives in Appin with his wife Susan and daughters Charis and Niamh, will set off up Ben Nevis with his fellow walkers on the evening on Saturday June 13, 2020, just after sunset and should be at the summit to experience the sunrise. Only moonlight and torches will light their way.
A team from Not Just Desserts at Barcaldine has also signed up to raise funds for Anam Cara Fasgadh.
Andrew’s wife and fellow charity founder Susan said: ‘It’s a very exciting collaboration for us.
‘We’ve already been approached by other charities wanting to get involved if we do another hike in 2021.
‘The more walkers we get signed up, the more the charities will benefit. Each charity needed at least 10 walkers and Anam Cara Fasgadh has surpassed that so far but we still want to hear from more people to come and join us so we get a full team.’
A line-up of other fundraising events are also being planned for next year, including a spring ceilidh at The View in Oban.
‘It’s heads down so we can bring in funds and grants so we can hopefully open our first respite caravan at Tralee next year,’ said Susan.
Reaching the top will be celebrated with a team breakfast.
Interested in taking part? Find out more by visiting discoveradventure.com/challenges/ big-steps-for-small-feet