An elderly woman from Scotland is taking lockdown to new heights.
Margaret Payne, a 90-year-old woman from Ardvar in Scotland, has raised over £200,000 for the NHS after pledging to climb the height of Suilven—a 2,398 ft mountain in the Highlands—on her stairs at home. (Featured image: @HighlandHospice)
Inspired by 99-year-old Captain Tom Moore, who has raised over £20 million for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden in Bedfordshire, Margaret will now walk up her stairs 282 times, the equivalent of walking to the top of Suilven. Each flight measures at 8.5ft, and consists of 17 stairs.
90 year-old Margaret is reaching the peak of #Suilven at home by climbing her stairs 282 times- all to raise money for #NHS and Highland Hospice!
We're thrilled to have her support, and will be cheering her on all the way! 💛
Read Margaret's story here: https://t.co/EqUKv97eXl pic.twitter.com/33wr4LMIU2
— Highland Hospice (@HighlandHospice) April 16, 2020
She first climbed the mountain with her sister during the Second World War, when she was 15 years old. She believes the current challenge will take her around two months to complete.
On her fundraising page, Margaret says that she “would like to raise funds to support the NHS in particular at this difficult time and especially in return for the extraordinary support we have received personally at Ardvar. In addition we are giving some support to the Highland Hospice”.
So far, donations have exceeded the original target of £10,000 by 2098%. That’s almost £210,000, or over £250k including gift aid.
She started the challenge on Easter Sunday, and we’re excited to hear about her progress. You can donate to Margaret’s cause here.