In November, I went hiking in Scotland in winter conditions, climbing Ben More. I am an experienced hill walker and climber, including in winter, and have professional experience in alpine environments. I take preparation seriously, checked the forecast in advance, and carried appropriate kit.

However, once I reached the summit, the weather deteriorated rapidly into a severe snowstorm. Visibility dropped, the wind strengthened, and conditions became unsafe to descend. After around two hours of careful navigation attempts, it became clear that staying put and calling Mountain Rescue was the safest decision.

The team from Killin Mountain Rescue Team who came out to find me did so in truly awful conditions. They are all volunteers. They left their homes in the middle of the week, many of them with work the following day, and worked calmly and professionally to locate me and bring me home safely.

The rescue team later told me that the outcome was a positive one because I was prepared, had the right equipment, and made the decision to call for help when I did. I am here because of their dedication, skill, and teamwork.

Scottish Mountain Rescue teams, including Killin MRT, are entirely volunteer-run and rely heavily on fundraising to maintain essential equipment and operational resilience. I want to give something tangible back to the team who saved my life.

I am aiming to raise £5,000 for Killin Mountain Rescue Team by 1st August.

To do this, I have planned a series of personal challenges:

• In January, I will start with a “Move Every Day” challenge - at least 20 minutes of activity each day

• Over the following months, my training and challenges will build towards two larger milestones:

- the Kirkpatrick C2C (South of Scotland’s Coast to Coast cycling route)

- and the West Highland Way

These challenges are inspired both by the resilience and mental strength that helped me stay calm while waiting for rescue, and by the dedication of the Killin Mountain Rescue volunteers who came out that night in such difficult conditions.

Funds raised will support practical, frontline equipment needs identified by the team, including:

• Lightweight softshell or belay jackets to ensure all members are adequately protected during prolonged callouts

• Recco rucksack strips (avalanche detector equipment) to support search capability in winter conditions

• High-powered torches (they were used during my rescue) are essential for night searches and poor visibility

• Power banks or a replacement generator to improve operational resilience - the team’s current generator is over 10 years old

These items directly support the safety, effectiveness and readiness of Killin Mountain Rescue volunteers when responding to callouts.

Support can come in many forms: donating if you’re able, sharing this page, or simply following along. Every bit of support helps.

Thank you for being part of this.