Siblings to scale heights for charity in memory of ever-smiling Sammy

Natalie Ho wants to spend the rest of her life honouring the memory of her twin sister Sammy. Sammy died last month aged 24 after battling serious illness since the day she was born.

She touched countless lives with her ever-smiling attitude in the face of adversity, and will be there in spirit when Natalie and her siblings scale Ben Nevis in October.

They aim to raise thousands for Charlie House, who helped ensure the family had some magical memories with Sammy.

Natalie is far from a seasoned mountaineer, and says getting ready will be an uphill struggle in itself.

She said: “I’ve always wanted to climb Ben Nevis, and when my sister passed away I felt I should do it to honour her. “That has been my push, we are doing it in memory of her.

“In the past I have done bits and pieces for charity, like an abseil or bagpacking at Asda, but this is another level.”

She added: “When I’m struggling up Ben Nevis, and I’ve got mountain rescue on speed dial, I’ll have to think of Sammy and how much she overcame.”

As well as brother Steve and sister Kimberley, Natalie will be joined by a group of friends including two of Sammy’s carers.

The route the fundraisers plan to use will take eigcht to 10 hours to reach the 4,413ft peak and get back down again.

The group are prepared for “less than ideal” conditions next month but they are filled with a special sort of confidence.

Natalie said: “I don’t feel nervous or scared despite the horror stories everyone is telling me, I’ll just be thinking of Sam and that’s what is going to push me through.

“We are doing it for her, and other kids like her.”

Sammy Ho dealt with some massive health problems in her 24 years.

She survived radical surgeries, life-threatening infections, two holes in her heart and even Covid before losing her fight for life in July.

Her upbeat spirit as she endured such difficulties gained plenty column inches, and the bubbly young woman made friends with everyone she met.

Sammy’s status as a local celebrity meant that scores of people, many who had never even met her, were devastated to learn of her death.

The outpouring of tributes has provided some comfort to the family, of Bridge of Don, who now have two large boxes packed with hundreds of condolence cards in their front room.

Natalie said: “Sammy made an impression on everyone she met.”

Natalie plans to return to higher education to study nursing. The twin sees the career shift as another way to continue Sammy’s legacy, as she spent so many years helping to look after her sister.

She said: “I feel like helping people is what I am meant to do. And after this challenge, I want to keep doing other fundraisers in memory of Sammy.”

Natalie explained why Charlie House means so much to the family.

“Charlie House is there to provide support for families who have children with life-shortening conditions, and they have really been there for us,” she said. “We have all these special memories of Sammy through the charity, that otherwise we wouldn’t have.”

The charity is trying to raise £8 million to build a new specialist support centre in Aberdeen.

At the moment, families need to travel to Kinross to use such a facility.

The Hos know how valuable it will be for the north-east, and what a difference it could make to many lives.

SPECIAL MEMORIES: Siblings Kimberley, Natalie and Steve Ho will climb Ben Nevis in memory of their sister Sammy.

‘Bubbly’ Sammy Ho made friends with everyone she met.