A Perthshire pensioner who had part of his lung removed after being diagnosed with cancer conquered a 3,550ft mountain to raise cash for charity.
Jim Robertson, 79, from Alyth, spent more than eight hours climbing Schiehallion to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, just weeks after being struck down with pneumonia.
Former singing teacher Jim, who has emphysema, was originally due to take on the climb in June, the day after he carried the Queen’s Baton.
Unfortunately, illness meant he had to postpone the challenge, but he was determined not to give up.
He wanted to complete the climb to raise money for Macmillan after getting involved in their pioneering new physical activity programme, Move More, that aims to get cancer patients fitter by doing some gentle exercise.
Diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2012, Jim said: “I wanted to climb Schiehallion in my 80th year of life.
“Other than my breathing problems, I’m fitter than I was 20 years ago thanks to getting involved in the Macmillan Move More programme that gets people who’ve had cancer doing some exercise.
“I’ll never forget that in the few months after my surgery I couldn’t walk to the end of the road. Now I could walk 10 miles and I’ve climbed a mountain.
“I don’t know what would have become of me if I hadn’t heard about Move More.
“I wanted to climb Schiehallion to show people that being diagnosed with cancer even when you are older doesn’t mean you can’t go on to live a good life.
“And I wanted to raise some money for Macmillan as well. Having to postpone the climb was a great shame but I’m delighted to have finally completed it.
“It was a very long climb in poor weather with torrential rain but I stayed upright and made it to the end. The return was in sunshine and glorious views, so that was a great compensation.”
Jim was accompanied on the challenge last week by stepdaughter Rhona, a doctor who was also an Olympic torch bearer, and Jim’s friend and Alyth minister Mike Erskine.
The Move More Dundee programme Jim took part in was developed by Macmillan Cancer Support, Dundee University and Paths for All.
To find out more about Move More Dundee, text WalkMORE and your name, to 88802, call 01382 385177, or visit www.dundee.ac.uk/ise/fun/whatwedo/MoveMorewalk.php.