Hamilton climber Jamie Neill aims to raise at least £2000 for charity while undertaking a gruelling five-leg challenge.
The former badminton star is undertaking five tough challenges after he turns 35 in April which he has dubbed ‘5 for 35’ to raise money for Alzheimer Scotland in honour of his grandfather Bill Neill (above), who was also an accomplished badminton player, and a mentor for Jamie’s success.
He will also contribute to Bravehearts Boxing Gym’s three charities of Eilidh’s Rainbow, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity and British Heart Foundation.
From May 2019 Jamie will aim to complete five challenges.
These are: A solo West Highland Way, 96 miles from Milngavie to Forth William and Bravehearts’ Scotsathlon 2019 – a 1.5 mile swim across Loch Lomond, 974 metre hike up Ben Lomond and a 50-miles cycle round Ben Lomond.
He will also scale 40 Scottish Munro mountains (over 914m) in one week with climbing partner Kyle Longmuir, as well as take on a 160-mile cycle from Hamilton to Mallaig, with Bravehearts Boxing Gym members.
Jamie’s final challenge will be three peaks of North Africa in Morocco – M’goun, Ouanoukrim and Toubkal with Three Peaks Africa and Iona Adventuring
Jamie said: “I’ve been climbing for about 18 months, which is not as long as people expect, but I’ve climbed 50 mountains in 2018, some of them a couple of times, but I climbed 38 Munros in 2018.
“It all started because I went for boxing fitness at Bravehearts, and they have a hillwalking club once a month. After two or three weeks we climbed Ben Nevis, so I started with the biggest we’ve got.
“I then had the urge to go myself, Kyle joined in, and it was a bit of a hobby that became addictive.
“The five for 35 was to put a positive spin on turning 35, and an idea to go on cool, memorable holidays became a physical challenge, something that requires a bit of focus. I need to stay injury free and healthy and it will require a lot of training.
“I’ll be training hard and raising what I can for Alzheimer Scotland, as well as contributing to the three chosen charities of Bravehearts Boxing Gym.
“Any donations are greatly appreciated and will go a long way. Thank you very much for your kindness, and wish me luck!”
If you would like to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jamieneill316
Jamie is a former Scottish international badminton player, where he enjoyed some success, playing at European and World Championships and competing in 25 countries.
He and Keith Turnbull from Larkhall won the Scottish men’s doubles titles in 2010 and 11.
A successful coaching stint followed, including coaching Google co-founder Sergey Brin in California in 2016.
