True Grit: 90-year-old raises £400,000 for NHS by climbing Munro... from home

Margaret Payne keeps on climbing at home in Ardvar

Margaret Payne, 90, from Ardvar in Sutherland, has already raised almost £400,000 for the NHS by climbing a Munro… without leaving her home.

She has been climbing 2,398ft, the equivalent height of famous peak Suilven, on her stairs. Her target was £10,000 but yesterday her total reached £400,100 – and it is continuing to rise.

She said: “I first climbed Suilven in 1944 aged 15 with my sister Elizabeth.
“I have lived in the Highlands for over 40 years and would like to raise funds to support the NHS at this difficult time and in return for the extraordinary support we have received at Ardvar. We are also giving support to the Highland Hospice.”

Donate at tinyurl.com/yc8yft7l.

Spain’s oldest woman beats Covid-19

A woman believed to be the oldest person in Spain has beaten coronavirus.
Maria Branyas is 113 and was infected with the disease in April at her care home. She battled the virus in isolation for weeks, with one single employer decked in protective gear visiting her.
Ms Branyas’ daughter, Rosa Moret, said her mother was “in shape, wanting to talk, to explain, to reflect, she has become herself again.” The care home said: “She feels good now, she took a test last week and the result was negative.”

Incredible fundraising efforts from Edinburgh man

Davy Zyw can’t wait for lockdown to end – so he can get back to his incredible fundraising efforts.

Davy, from Edinburgh, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2018 and since then has been raising money for My Name’5 Doddie, the charity started by Scottish Rugby Legend Doddie Weir.

So far big-hearted Davy has raised over £51,000 – and plans when the lockdown is complete to cycle the North Coast 500 route round the north of Scotland.

“This would be challenging for any experienced cyclist, let alone someone with MND,” said Davy. “Our original departure date was the May 1 and, although our ride has had to be postponed due to Covid-19, we will set off as soon as lockdown is lifted.”

Donate at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mnd500.