An 11-year-old girl climbed a Munro in muddy and wet conditions and canoed across Loch Lomond in memory of the baby sister she never got to meet.
Charis Simpson, a P7 pupil at Dunbeg Primary School, near Oban, took part in the Simba canoe/climb challenge last weekend, in which reach the summit of Ben Lomond.
She was part of a team of seven canoeists and 21 climbers who spent the weekend raising funds and awareness for Simba (Simpson’s Memory Box Appeal), the charity which responds to the needs of those affected by the loss of a baby.
Charis took part in the challenge with her parents Andrew and Susan Simpson.
When Charis was five her parents lost her sister Eilidh Beth to stillbirth at 34 weeks.
She says that she remembers being so excited about her mum and dad bringing her sister home, and so devastated when she found out that she had died.
Mrs Simpson, Charis’ mum, said: “Charis tells me she wanted to take part in this challenge, which left her aching so much she struggled to get to school the following day, because she wants to help the charity support with other families like ours who lose a baby.”
Participants came from Inverness, Aviemore, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife to join in the challenge.
One of the climbers who joined in the Munro climb is Taynuilt resident Tim Devaney, who has been raising funds for Simba in memory of his twin boys.
The challenge was led by Boots N Paddles, who for three years have supported Simba in their water challenges.
Charis previously took part in the Simba Great Glen Challenge in 2014 when she was just nine as part of a 23 strong team of kayakers and canoeists.
That year they raised more than £17,000 for the charity between them.
This year the whole team has so far raised around £7,000 but funds are still coming in.
