Former alpinist with MS tackles Old Man of Hoy

A dad with MS has climbed Britain’s tallest sea stacks to raise money for the MS Society.

Despite facing mobility issues, unforgiving terrain and biting winds, dad-of-three Duncan Booth has just completed the Old Man of Hoy in Orkney – one of his biggest climbs since diagnosis.

The former alpinist and rock climber was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2010 and, together with wife Yvonne, has tirelessly raised money to fund research into the neurological condition which affects more than 100,000 people in the UK and over 11,000 people in Scotland.

Accompanied by two friends, Duncan (45), from Cumbria, took advantage of the settled conditions last week and tackled the 449-foot sandstone tower to reach the top before taking on the descent – also a challenge, and including twisted ropes and some tense moments along the way.

As well as their own impressive fundraising challenges, wife Yvonne started the 10in10 challenge in 2011 – where hikers walk 10 peaks in 10 hours to raise cash for the MS Society. So far the Booth family has raised an incredible £247,000 over five years.

This year’s funding proceeds will be supporting Glasgow-based researcher Dr Julia Edgar and her work in myelin protection, which will look at how the nerve coating can be protected from damage caused by MS.

Duncan said: “I did the climb with a couple of mates, two lads I used to climb with eight years ago before I was diagnosed with MS. We all still hadn’t done the Old Man of Hoy, and thought it was the perfect opportunity to raise a bit more money for the MS Society.

“I haven't climbed properly since my diagnosis. So this really was a huge challenge in so many ways for me.I am relieved that I have succeeded and it was incredible to stand on top of the Old Man.

“The climb itself was great, but I know that in the days before my MS it would have just been a formality. I still look at a rock climb with my old eyes, and once I get up there I know I overestimated my abilities. I did get up there in the end though, and I was really happy to make it to the top, even if the journey was harder than I thought.”

Duncan added: “It wasn’t the easiest challenge to do with MS. The climb itself is just less than 450 feet, but you also have to think about getting there and back.

“I’m not particularly good at walking, and we had to travel 1km across boggy ground and the headlands to then scramble down to the base of the Hoy. I was thrilled when I got to the top.”

Simon Moran, Area Fundraiser for the MS Society, said: “I’d like to heartily thank Duncan for another amazing achievement, which has raised yet more great funding to add to this year’s 10in10 total, which is nearly £80,000.

“His positivity and commitment to keep pushing himself is testament to the strength he shows, in the face of adversity presented to him by his MS.

“Duncan puts many hours in to think of a different challenge each year, allowing him to attract new donations from a rapidly increasing fan base. He’s an absolute hero for many people affected by MS.”

MS attacks the nervous system and is unpredictable - one day someone could be fine, the next they might lose their sight or be unable to move. Symptoms include fatigue, sight loss, incontinence and disability.

For more information about the MS Society, visit http://www.mssociety.org.uk/

To visit Duncan’s Just Giving page go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/DuncanBooth