A 90-year-old woman who raised more than £430,000 climbing her stairs in the Highlands for the NHS and other good causes is up for an award.
Margaret Payne notched up scaling her stairs in Ardvar, Sutherland, 282 times to get to the ‘summit’ of an iconic local mountain – raising hundreds of thousands of pounds in the process.
Mrs Payne was backed by Royalty and the Prime Minister in her bid to equal the 2,398ft height of Suilven.
She has been named as a finalist in the national Helping it Happen Awards 2020.
The awards have become firmly established in recognising the role of estates, businesses and individuals who are helping rural Scotland thrive – and are organised by rural business organisation, Scottish Land & Estates.
Over 73 days Mrs Payne raised £434,562 for the NHS, NHS Highlands, Highland Hospice and RNLI.
Mrs Payne is up against two other finalists in the Community Champion of the Year – Highland category.
The award winners will be announced on September 30.
Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “More than ever, this year has typified what Helping It Happen is all about – individuals, rural businesses and organisations going the extra mile to make a positive contribution to society. With four Highland entries named as finalists, it’s clear that the region is home to people and organisations which benefit those close to home and across Scotland by providing employment, helping their local communities or helping Scotland meet its environmental goals.”