A BARRHEAD woman who scaled Britain’s highest summit to raise money for charity was thinking of her beloved gran every step of the way.

Aimee Gent took on Ben Nevis in support of Alzheimer’s Society, which supports those affected by dementia.

The 25-year-old former St Luke’s High pupil completed the challenge on her own after her gran, Helen Mcmenamin, lost a long battle with dementia two years ago.

Aimee told the Barrhead News: “Having to watch my gran fade away whilst there was nothing I could do to stop it broke my heart.

“There is still currently no cure or sufficient treatment for this horrible disease, which affects so many across the UK.

“I really enjoyed climbing Ben Nevis and I met a lot of nice people on my way up who had travelled from all over the UK to complete the climb. One woman came over from Northern Ireland and another had driven up from Portsmouth.

“I did it myself, which was a challenge in itself, especially as it is the highest summit in the whole of the UK.”

Aimee, who works as a payments analyst for banking giant Barclays, set herself an initial fundraising target of £500 through her JustGiving page but has now managed to coin in £1,400 for the worthy cause, with dozens of supporters making donations.

“I’m incredibly humbled by how generous everyone has been by donating to this great cause,” she added.

“I wanted to raise money to help in the fight against this disease, with the hope that, one day, others will be spared from suffering.

“I really hope I’ve done my gran proud.”

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer and there are a number of causes.
Someone develops the brain condition every three minutes and there is currently no cure.

Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity but relies on people such as Aimee to fund its vital work.

A spokesperson said: “We campaign for change, fund research to find a cure and support people living with dementia today.”

Anyone who would like more information about dementia should visit Alzheimer's Society.

To support Aimee by making a donation, go to Aimee's Just Giving page.