Woman, 90, raises cash for UK's NHS by climbing 2,398ft mountain – on her stairs

Margaret Payne has planned 282 trips to cover the equivalent of making it to the top of Suilven in the Highlands.

A 90-year-old woman hopes to raise £10,000 for the NHS and a hospice by climbing the equivalent of a Highland mountain on her stairs.

Margaret Payne plans to climb the height of Suilven and has worked out it will take 282 trips upstairs to cover the 2,398ft.

Suilven is one of Scotland’s most recognisable mountains due to its unusual outline (Scottish Wildlife Trust/PA)

Mrs Payne, who lives in Ardvar, Sutherland, first climbed Suilven aged 15 in 1944 with her sister Elizabeth when the pair were evacuated to Glencanisp, Lochinver.

She was inspired to take on the stair-climbing challenge to raise funds for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic and also for Highland Hospice in return for their support over the years, including for her husband Jim who died on Christmas Day last year.

Margaret Payne has already raised more than £1,800 (Payne family/PA)

She added: “In addition we are giving some support to the Highland Hospice.

“Here we go … starting Easter Sunday …. 3 flights before lunch today 👍 Raining and windy outside but warm going up and down the stairs!”

So far, Mrs Payne has raised more than £1,800 of her total.