A local RAF veteran is to guide an 87-year-old blind fellow veteran up Ben Nevis this weekend.
Gary Thomas, 57, who was a mountain rescue worker and runs a walking company on the island, answered a call-out from the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Association to support John from Milton Keynes.
The pair will tackle the UK’s highest mountain on Armed Forces Day, 27 June, to raise funds for Blind Veterans UK.
“Being a veteran myself and an ex-member of the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service, I feel honoured to be asked to assist in such a worthy cause and I jumped at the opportunity,” said Mr Thomas.
No Barrier
John, who lost his sight to macular degeneration and glaucoma, has been supported by the charity for four years.
“I’m really looking forward to helping John,” said Mr Thomas. “We’re going to start early and give ourselves plenty of time to ensure it’s an enjoyable trek.”
The 87-year-old said completing the challenge would prove “age and sight loss are not a barrier”.
His 16-year-old granddaughter Lilly, who hopes to join the Army Medical Corps, has been training with him on long hikes along a canal.
“I find training with grandad very inspiring as he is always pushing till he’s on his last limb,” she said.
Mr Thomas served in the RAF Mountain Rescue Service until 2007 and now shares his mountain passion through his walking company on the island.