They’ll climb Criffel a combined 50 times in one day, but Ian Corsan, his wife Tammy and friends from Synergy Performance Gym in Heathhall will take the tough task in their stride.
They’ve put in plenty of training for the fundraiser taking place on January 18, and are just hoping people get behind them to bring in the cash for a cause close to Ian’s heart.
A former youth football coach, the Dumfries dad has been inspired by recent efforts to provide lifesaving defibrillators and cardiac screening to young people in the region.
And his aim is now to make sure the equipment is available to youth sports organisations in Dumfries.
Ian, 53, said: “After the amazing effort by Emma Currie raising money for defibrillators for primary schools, and the incredible work of the DH9 Foundation established after the death of David Hill in 2022, I really want to add to that by providing defibs for youth sports organisations.
“A group of us from Synergy Performance Gym will be taking on the challenge of climbing Criffel 50 times between us. Members of the team will make the climb approximately four times each and we hope to raise £3,000.
“We fully understand money isn’t in abundance, especially at this time of year, but anything helps and is greatly appreciated.
“Anne Croucher at Tesco Extra superstore at Cuckoo Bridge is also supporting us by accepting donations in the charity dropbox in the store during January.
“Climbing Criffel 50 times between us in just a day will be a real challenge but the support we’ve had so far has been amazing.
“If anyone is free on January 18, please come along and cheer us on for what is an amazing cause.
“Having defibrillators available to as many people as possible is vital and really could make a difference in saving lives.”
Emma Currie recently kicked off a campaign to provide defibrillators for primary schools in Dumfries and surrounding area in memory of Heathhall pupil Emma Ross, who died aged just 13 three years after she suffered a cardiac arrest in her school playground 10 years ago.
A staggering £33,000 was raised in just 22 days.
Emma said: “It’s absolutely incredible that Ian and his friends are doing this and it’s amazing to see the impact wee Emma’s campaign is continuing to have in our great wee town.
“I’m so proud of them for doing this Criffel climb and I’ll know they’ll smash it because they’re an amazing team.”
The family of former St Joseph’s College pupil David Hill, who died in March 2022 of a previously undiagnosed heart condition, aged 30, set up the DH9 Foundation in his memory.
David collapsed while taking part in a cross party rugby match for Holyrood against a Dail and Seanad XV at the Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin as part of the Parliamentary Six Nations.
The DH9 Foundation provides defibrillators free of charge to secondary schools, youth and sporting organisations and to support Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
David’s dad Rodger said: “The DH9 Foundation is committed to improving the cardiac health of young people under the age of 35.”
Donate at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ian-corsan