Stuart's Ben Nevis Challenge

Stuart’s Lockdown Challenge

Rotary Club of South Foreland member Stuart McVey suffers from Polyneuropathy caused by Transthyretin Amyloidosis, and usually uses a mobility scooter as walking is difficult for him, even with crutches.  At the beginning of April he  began a daily walk in his garden as a way to keep moving during lockdown because as a vulnerable person he couldn’t leave home.  This was quite demanding, not just because of Stuart’s medical condition but because his garden is terraced, with four levels and three flights totalling sixteen steps.  Walking to the top of the garden is the equivalent to climbing six metres.

To give his daily activity a purpose Stuart thought up the challenge of climbing the equivalent of Ben Nevis which is 1,345 metres high, starting from sea level near Fort William.  This was the obvious choice as he has lived and worked at Fort William for three years and climbed Ben Nevis while there.

 He has calculated that to climb the equivalent of 1,345 metres would take 165 days and 225 laps of his garden.  To achieve this he completes three laps every two days and catches up if he misses a day for some reason. On one occasion he managed three laps in one day.  By 10th June he had climbed 500 metres and he hopes to reach the summit by mid-September.

When Club President Janet Dagys and President Elect Pauline Goldsack heard of Stuart’s brave challenge they offered to sponsor him; other people, not just club members, have done the same.  The money Stuart raises will be divided between Dover and Deal Foodbanks, President Janet’s charity for 2019/20, and The Citizen’s Advice Bureau which President Elect Pauline will be supporting in her year of office.  These charities are vital to our local communities especially at this difficult time when the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are resulting in more individuals and families being in need of advice as well as practical help with food and other essentials.

By the end of June Stuart, with his wife Elspeth, will have been in isolation for four months.  Although he is now allowed out once a day as long as he observes social distancing, much of his time and energy is needed for his challenge.  

If you would like to support Stuart please go to just giving.com and then click on justgiving with a green arrow beside it (further down the page) and then type Stuart's Ben Nevis Challenge in the seach box to reach his page