Barrhead mum raises £9k in memory of late partner
Published 24 Oct 2012 09:30
A TRAGEDY-hit mum has handed over nearly £9,000 to charity in memory of her partner, who was killed along with his cousin on a fishing trip.
Jeanette Maltman, 50, gave a cheque of £5,088 to lifeboat volunteers and a further £3,600 to the community-led Pirsac lifeboat.
The lifeboat is based in the Solway Firth where her partner Michael McCreadie and his cousin Gerald Dalglish, both aged 44, died in July 2006.
Michael lost his footing and fell into the water and Gerald dived in to try and save him but both perished as they were dragged under.
To raise funds for the crews who tried in vain to save the pair, Jeanette scaled the heights of Africa's tallest mountain, the 19,000ft Kilimanjaro, in June. The feat took her eight days.
She said: "I was delighted that I managed to raise nearly £9,000.
"People have been so generous towards me and I am thankful to everyone who believed in me through it all.
"Although it was very tough both physically and mentally I had a great time when I was taking part in the climb and it gave me a sense of achieving something huge.
"Some people thought I would take the money I spent in doing it back from donations, but I paid for everything out of my own pocket.
"All of the money raised went straight to the charity because they do some great work.
"Sometimes I felt that I was setting my standards too high to begin with but I just felt as long as I had the right attitude, then I would be able to achieve it and thankfully I did.
"It feels incredible to say I have done it."
Although she set out on the climb by herself, she became friendly with several others who were taking part in the adventure.
The mother-of-two, of Carnock Crescent, added: "I met lots of really great people and we have stayed in touch.
"They are suggesting maybe doing something else that would really challenge me.
"The Great Wall of China has been spoken about but we will wait and see."
This article appeared in Barrhead News 24 Oct 12
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