Joiner to climb Ben Nevis while carrying 100kg to raise money for Doddie Weir foundation

A joiner is preparing to climb Ben Nevis while carrying 100kg to raise money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

After six months of training, mountain rescue team member David Dooher, 37, is poised to climb Britain’s highest mountain on 7 June in aid of motor neurone disease (MND).

The weight is equivalent to 15 stone 10 pounds – or a giant panda – and is meant to represent the burden carried by those who live with MND.

If he succeeds David, who has already raised more than £10,000 for the charity, will set a world record.

In preparation for the climb David has bagged several munros with a barbell on his back in preparation, including Ben Vorlich with 95kg and Ben Lomond with 75kg.

Dad-of-two David, from Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, has trained six days per week, every week, for the last six months and has upped his calorie intake beyond 4,000 calories during his training.

‘The pain in my back, neck and shoulders is impossible to ignore and manage, however I want to symbolise the burden carried by the people who live with MND and their families as much as possible,’ David said.

‘Reaching the summit of Ben Vorlich at 3,300 ft with nearly 100kg on my back was probably my highlight so far.

‘It was a very challenging day.’

David, who is experienced in the mountains of Scotland and has been an active Mountain Rescue member for several years, will meet his support team at the Ben Nevis Inn at 5.30pm on Wednesday night, before setting off at 7pm.

‘We wanted to climb in the evening to minimise disruption to other hillwalkers. My goal is to reach the summit by 7am,’ said David.

‘With the fine weather it should make for an amazing sunset and sunrise. I am worried about injury, but I’ve prepared mentally, and I will keep going until the job is done.

‘I want it to be difficult and painful.

‘I’ve already been emotional during some walks just because of the pain and exhaustion, but that adds to the magnitude for me so I’m not afraid to show it.

‘I’ve received so many lovely messages from families of people diagnosed or whose family have passed away due to MND.

‘That reinforces the reasons for why I’m tackling the task.

‘I’ll be thinking about Doddie with every step.

‘It’s been a big sacrifice.

‘I’ll take a week off to recover once I’m done and maybe start planning a wee holiday when it’s all over.’

Paul Thompson, director of fundraising at My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: ‘We are blown away by David’s efforts.

‘His training alone is unthinkable.

‘We will all be rooting for him and are very proud that Doddie’s legacy continues to inspire people to do incredible things and push beyond their limits, all to find a cure for MND.

‘We are very grateful to him, and to everyone who has donated.’

To donate visit – www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-dooher 

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