Nine-year-old from Barrhead to climb Ben Lomond for great cause

Lola-Rose Wood, a Primary 5 pupil at Cross Arthurlie Primary School and her dad, George Wood, 33, will be trekking up the 974-metre high mountain on Saturday, April 29.

The nine-year-old has decided to climb Ben Lomond to raise money for Beatson Cancer Charity following her great grandpa’s cancer diagnosis.

Her grandpa, 80-year-old James Stark from Clydebank, was diagnosed with cancer back in 2018, however, sadly, since then his condition worsened in December 2022.

Ready to tackle the massive climb, Lola said: “I am so excited to climb Ben Lomond. I am also a tiny bit nervous about how high it’s going to be.

“I want to do this challenge to raise money to go towards more people like my great grandpa who need help in a hard time in their lives.”

On completing the climb, Lola said her mum has promised her a Five Guys for dinner.

The nine-year-old said: “I also think it will be good fun. My mum said she will get me a Five Guys for dinner if I complete it, so I have to do it now.”

While Lola is completing the challenge to raise money for the cancer charity, the achievement will also go towards one of her brownie badges.

George, who has been up Ben Lomond before, is confident that him and his daughter will complete their climb.

He said: “I’m looking forward to some father and daughter time raising money for a great cause and making this memory together.

“This will be Lola’s first time, but I have every faith she’ll manage.”

Lola, Limara and George (Image: Supplied)

Lola’s mum, Limara Hill, said: “Lola’s great grandpa, who is my grandpa, has been fighting cancer for over five years with outstanding support and help from The Beatson.

“In December his condition got worse and he is now staying in St Margaret’s Hospice, but he has really picked up again and is still full of jokes and stories.

“He’s an amazing man and we’re lucky to still have him here with us.

“Raising money by walking Ben Lomond is just a small token of our gratitude.”

Limara went on to express how proud they are of their young daughter.

She said: “We are so unbelievably proud that Lola chose to do such a big climb to raise money for Beatson Cancer Charity.

“She is such a determined, thoughtful and king little girl, we couldn’t be more proud of her.”

Niall Gibson, community & challenges fundraiser at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “We’re always so inspired by the challenges people take on to raise money for our charity, but 9-year old Lola taking on Ben Lomond is quite incredible. 

“We’re so grateful to Lola and her family for their support and we wish Lola and George the best of luck ahead of their climb. 

“Every penny raised during challenges like this goes towards supporting other patients and their families across the west of Scotland.” 

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