A Moray soldier has raised more than £1,500 for the NHS by scaling the height of Mount Everest – using a fire escape staircase at the Kinloss Barracks.
Staff Sergeant Guy Francis of the 39 Kinloss Engineer Regiment undertook 1,455 reps to complete the challenge of climbing 29,028ft – completing the challenge in 23 hours and 10 minutes.
Ssgt Francis wanted to support the work of the health workers on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic.
He said that the challenge was “extremely tough” but had been given all the encouragement he needed by his colleagues, who roared him on to the finish.
“I’m into mountaineering and I was already in training for some big expeditions later on this year,” he said.
“Given the current situation, I obviously had to put those plans off, so this sounded like a good idea to give something back to the NHS.
“I had guys from the mess taking it in turns to stand outside to encourage me, and also ensuring that I didn’t injure myself.
“We obviously kept to the social distancing rules, but just having them there helped me through.”
He said he was “over the moon” to have tripled his fundraising target, and thanked all those who supported him.
A spokesman for 39 Kinloss Engineer Regiment said: “This is a superb effort and I’d like to offer a huge well done from all the members of 39 Engineer Regiment.”
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