Hitting heights in dad’s memory Hannah climbs her way to cash boost
Little Hannah Fraser felt on top of the world at the summit of Ben Nevis as she helped raise more than £4500 for Chris’s House.
The three-year-old was the youngest of a group who hiked up Scotland’s highest mountain marking what would have been her dad Graham Fraser’s 30th birthday.
Tragically, Graham took his own life in June 2019 and Hannah’s mum, Natalie, admits his death “left a hole in our lives that can never be filled”.
Natalie headed a 30-strong team that travelled to Fort William by coach to part in Hannah’s Hike, which also included Graham’s mum Angie Kirkwood and some of his best pals.
Natalie told the Wishaw Press: “That’s three Hannah’s done now. She started off in the Fife hills, then did Tinto Hill and now Nevis.
“She did really well with Tinto. Nevis she was carried quite a lot of the way by my friend Sarah Lloyd, as it’s hard to walk with a lot of big rocks to climb over. We stayed up at the top for a couple of hours.”
Natalie is hoping to raise £5000 from the event, which was organised with help from Ross Hyslop of Scout and About in Lanark – who offer counselling via outdoor walk and talk retreats.
It’s the second time the 31-year-old has been part of a team to clamber to the top of Nevis, the first was two years ago shortly after Graham’s death.
Chris’s House in Wishaw provided support both before and after Graham’s death and Natalie is delighted to be able to give something back. Both herself and Graham had previously volunteered at events the charity held.
Hannah was only a year old when her dad died but his memory is being kept alive, as Natalie and his family and friends continue to help spread positivity and hope, and raise awareness of suicide prevention.
Natalie added: “I’m going to do something annually with Hannah, next year we’re doing the West Highland Way.
“My goal is that by the time she is 10 we’ll have raised £50,000 for Chris’s House. We’re looking to raise £5000 a year.”
We a r i n g t-s h i r t s w i t h Happy Heavenly 30th and a picture of Graham on them the group also included Graham’s mates; Junior, Alan and Daniel. Hannah also took some photographs of her with her dad along which were pinned up along the route.
During the trek the group were listening to the song Happy Place by Wishaw band SAINT PHNX, and included it on their Facebook story.
“I don’t know the guys and it was only when I came back and checked them out on Instagram that I realised the song was dedicated to their father,” Natalie added. “It was quite strange that we were listening to that on the way up.”