Trekkers tackle the Italian Alps for SBH Scotland

The group, all of whom are in their 60s, will be scaling peaks over 2,500 feet. They’ll set off on June 19th this year and will be in the mountains for four days, staying overnight in mountain refuges along the way. They have previously undertaken similar, smaller hikes, including a particularly wet rendition of the West Highland Way in 2015 to raise money for charity, as well as other routes across the UK and in Poland.

Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland was formed in 1965 by a group of parents who each had a child with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Now 50 years later, the charity supports over 1,500 children, young people, adults, their family members and carers every year in the West of Scotland alone whilst retaining its family orientated approach.

The group, who are from St Leo’s Dumbreck walking group in Glasgow, have been friends for many years, and includes:

· Robert Carachi, a paediatric surgeon, who was heavily involved in the treatment of those with spina bifida until he recently retired and was awarded an MBE this year;

· Eamon Mertugh, a recently Retired Cardiac physiologist and head of department for 40 years at the Royal Hospital for Sick children Yorkhill Glasgow;

· Ewen Mcleod, a retired schoolteacher who specialised in children with aspergers;

· Jim Fisher, also a retired teacher and ‘Munro bagger’;

· Jim Kerr, a Pricing Controller for a corrugated packaging firm in Glasgow.

Robert Carachi, board me mber for SBH Scotland said: “We’re all keen hikers and are determined to make sure that we finish the route. It won’t be easy given the conditions are likely to range from very hot, to stormy, to really rather cold at night. The Alps are well known for being loose underfoot with steep ups and downs, so it’s going to be a challenge. We did the West Highland Way last year and raised a lot of money, and we are very pleased to be doing so for SBH Scotland this year.”

Deborah Roe, Director of Fundraising for SBH Scotland said, “We’re so grateful to this group for choosing to fundraise for us in our 50th year. Our charity continues to support all those affected by the lifelong, complex disabilities of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and every year we have to raise £1million. Challenges like this are vital to us providing services for another 50 years.”

To support SBH Scotland’s trekkers please visit their JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/Jim-kerr2 or if you’ve been inspired to take on your own challenge for SBH Scotland in their Golden Anniversary year, please contact Lynsey Hamilton on 03455 211 600 or email [email protected]