Lanarkshire dad who survived brain aneurysm urges thrill-seekers to take on charity challenge

A call has gone out for daredevils in Lanarkshire to swing into action as one of Scotland’s biggest fundraising events returns this summer.

Registrations have opened for the Forth Bridge Abseil which is run by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), in partnership with Network Rail and Balfour Beatty.

Taking place on Sunday, June 16, adventure-seekers will abseil 165 feet from the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site for good causes.

Since the event launched in 2003, more than £3m has been raised for charities including CHSS allowing the charity to support the one in five people across Scotland living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long COVID.

The abseil made a triumphant return in October last year after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic with 34 charities raising more than £305,000 as 600 people abseiled off the iconic landmark.

CHSS raised over £120,000, which is equivalent to 6,170 hours of vital one to one support to help somebody adjust after a hospital stay following a stroke, heart attack or due to a chest condition or Long COVID.

Kevin Hunt, from Hamilton, took part in the abseil last year after surviving a brain aneurysm in 2014.

Kevin said: “After the surgery, I had memory loss and speech issues, but thankfully I am fit and active now.

“The charity means something special to me as I understand the turmoil people go through after a major health issue and how much we rely on support to get through the difficult times. There are gaps in care and support for people with major health conditions, so any additional help from organisations like CHSS is a great thing.”

East Kilbride-based construction business akp Scotland also took part in the event last year.

The five-strong team comprising John Black, Phil Mycek, Colin McCready, Connor McBride and Roz Malcolm abseiled the Forth Bridge in memory of their colleague Neil Donnan who died in January 2023 after a heart attack and brain aneurysm. Together they raised more than £4,300.

Neil Donnan passed died suddenly in January

Moira Murdoch, commercial director at akp Scotland, said: “Neil was such a happy and positive person to have around.

“We were all so shocked when we heard that he had died and so we were pleased to be able to raise some funds in his memory and for all those others in Scotland that have been affected by these illnesses.”

Assistant director of Fundraising at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, Jayne Forbes said: “It is fantastic to be bringing the Forth Bridge Abseil back for 2024.

“We had an amazing response to last year’s event with hundreds of people from across the country challenging themselves to raise vital funds for charities across Scotland.

“This event is a great opportunity for CHSS to raise funds which will help us to support people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long COVID. I would encourage everyone to take part and experience this truly unique fundraising challenge.”

Individuals and organisations can register their interest in taking part in June’s fundraiser by emailing [email protected] or at https://www.chss.org.uk/supportus/fundraise-for-us/events/forth-bridge-abseil/