Clacks youngsters plan to climb Ben Nevis for charity

Carla Fulton, 11, and her friend Jodie McAuslane, 16 will be tackling Ben Nevis this Saturday, June 6 – weather depending – to raise money for the Tilly Ladies Appeal and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Accompanying the girls will be Lorna and Lee, Carla's mum and dad, and Gillian, Jodie's mum.

Lorna explained why her daughter decided to take on this challenge.

Lorna said: "We've been doing a little bit of hillwalking during lockdown, like everybody else trying to get out and about.

"She's come with me and done three Munros so far and she had asked which one was the highest.

"I told her it was Ben Nevis and she said she wanted to do it, so I said we should do it for charity."

Carla decided she would like to raise money for Tilly Ladies Appeal because, in previous pre-lockdown years, she's really enjoyed attending the Christmas lights switch-on and wanted to help out.

The 11-year-old Tillicoultry PS pupil has already completed Beinn Ghlas, Ben Lomond and Meall nan Tarmachan.

Lorna, who's climbed around 20 Munros, joked: "Carla practically runs up them, it's me who's out of breath."

She added: "You're rewarded at the top; that satisfaction of completing something.

"Carla's really enjoyed that, she's enjoyed the challenges of the scrambly areas, too."

So far she she has raised £470, smashing her target of £300.

Jodie, who attends Alva Academy, will be raising money in aid of the school's famous Macmillan Cancer Support appeal.

Jodie and Gillian have completed a handful of munros together

Gillian said they'll be treating themselves to a hotel stay following the mammoth challenge, which she expects may take them upwards of seven hours.

She said: "I've done about 10 Munros and Jodie's done four. She's going into sixth year at Alva Academy and wanted to do something for Macmillan."

Gillian explained some of the other pupils were planning to shave their heads but Jodie was keen to fundraise another way.

She added: "She's been doing her Duke of Edinburgh and the climbing and walking is part of it so it ties in well.

"Jodie's main passion is horse-riding so she's an outdoors person, she's always out in all weathers."

Jodie and Gillian set a target of £500 and are well on their way to achieving the goal.

Asked how the two were feeling, Gillian said: "Definitely nervous.

"Jodie's a bit unsure of how long [it will take], we're looking anywhere between seven to 12 hours of walking.

"It's going to be interesting, but I'm sure we'll be fine."

Visit tinyurl.com/38nm6azp to donate to Carla's fundraiser or tinyurl.com/47r8pvsh to contribute to Jodie's.