Colin Stevenson, Yard Supervisor, suffered a major stroke in September 2019 but climbed 500 metre Criffel hill just two years later.
One of the team at Russell Roof Tiles' Lochmaben site has completed the gruelling challenge of climbing to the top of a local landmark after suffering a stroke, to raise money for the Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust.
Colin Stevenson, Yard Supervisor, suffered a major stroke in September 2019 after having part of his lung surgically removed, which made breathing and exercise a difficult task.
At the beginning of May, just two years after his major operation, Stevenson set himself the challenge of reaching the top of Criffel, a local hill which has a 506-metre ascent, after Russell Roof Tiles announced it would match fund team challenges.
With the support of his family and daughter Karen, who volunteered to join Stevenson on the challenge, they managed to reach the top in three and a half hours, before making the long and tiring descent back to ground level.
"In 2019 my life completely changed, after having a small section of my lung removed, and then suffering from a stroke, I never thought I'd be able to walk up the Criffel. Thanks to the Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust a charity based in my hometown, I was able to start walking around the Loch and building my strength up little by little," said Stevenson.
"This year, I wanted to take on something that would be a huge challenge and raise money for the charity that helped me get my life back. The climb wasn't an easy one, but I got there. I couldn't have done it without the support of my friends, family and colleagues."
The £1,400 raised will go to the Castle Loch Community Trust, to ensure that the conservation of the area is maintained and that people within the community can continue to walk around the Loch. The charity looks after the environment through community volunteer initiatives.
"Bruce Laidlaw, Operations Director at Russell Roof Tiles, said: "Colin is an inspiration to us all. He's undeterred by his health condition and the 506-metre ascent. He's the first person this year at Russell Roof Tiles, to have taken on an extreme challenge on his own. He's set the bar high and raised a significant amount for the Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust."
As part of Russell Roof Tiles Give 4 Good initiative, introduced at the start of the year, employees have the chance to volunteer to fundraise for local charities. For anyone who reaches over £1000, Russell Roof Tiles have promised to match the donation.
