Long-standing charity volunteer Neil McArthur is preparing to celebrate his 80th birthday by taking on the challenge of a lifetime – climbing Mount Kenya while raising funds to build homes for vulnerable families.
The Aberdeenshire resident will travel to Kenya later this year to climb Mount Kenya, the second-highest mountain in Africa at more than 17,000 feet, in support of the Gathimba Edwards Foundation (GEF).
The fundraising challenge carries particular personal significance for Neil, who plans to take his final chemotherapy tablets for leukaemia during the climb, marking the end of his treatment journey.
Funds raised will help support the construction of four new homes for some of Kenya's most disadvantaged families through the Gathimba Edwards Foundation, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable children and communities across the country.
Neil has been a trustee of the foundation for the past seven years and has twice travelled to Kenya to help build homes for vulnerable families through the charity, witnessing first-hand the impact its work has on local communities. During his visit at the end of July, he will once again take part in the charity’s bi-annual house-building project.
The Mount Kenya challenge is the latest in a long line of fundraising efforts undertaken by Neil throughout decades of charitable volunteering.
He spent 31 years volunteering with Cancer Research Campaign and later CRANES, while also supporting numerous other causes over the years. Previous fundraising challenges have included walking from Mallaig to Monymusk in 2008 for CLIC Sargent and CLAN Cancer Support, and climbing Bennachie every day throughout May 2021 to raise funds for GEF.
Speaking about the challenge, Neil said: "This challenge represents two important milestones for me – celebrating my 80th birthday and reaching the end of my leukemia treatment. Knowing that the funds raised will help provide safe homes for families in Kenya makes every step worthwhile. I've been overwhelmed by the support I've received over the years and hope people will get behind me one last time as I take on what I promise will be my final fundraiser."
Neil hopes his challenge will not only raise vital funds but also inspire others to support charitable causes regardless of age or circumstance.
Donations to support Neil's Mount Kenya challenge can be made via his fundraising page here: https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/neilmcarthurmountkenya2026