2026-07-23T08:35:27+00:00

From Ben Nevis to Kiltwalk, couple complete epic fundraising marathon

Husband and wife team Jamie and Mhairi Thomson have completed a jaw-dropping series of challenges, and Friends of Roxburghe House was the grateful recipient of half the funds raised.

Together they scaled Ben Nevis at the start of May, and then in June they completed the Mighty Stride at Kiltwalk Aberdeen.

It all started when Jamie decided to complete the Devil of Deeside at Run Balmoral at the start of April, a feat involving a 5km and a 10km race on the Saturday, followed by a 6-mile and 15-mile trail race on the Sunday.

“Jamie had done the Devil of Deeside because he needed a new challenge,” said Mhairi.

“A month later we went up Ben Nevis at the start of May along with our friend and my border collie, Winston.

“It took us just over eight hours, starting at 6am. Going up was easy enough until we hit the ice about a mile before the summit. Coming down was harder, took us longer and was not so good on the legs.”

Not content with that, the duo were off again in June, this time joining 5,500 others to tackle the 18 miles of the Mighty Stride at Kiltwalk Aberdeen. Although event organisers estimate it takes seven hours on average to walk from Banchory to Aberdeen, the pair made it in just 4 hours and 46 minutes.

Jamie then completed a final run, a 24-hour event where participants completed as many laps as they could. He managed to hit the impressive 100km mark.

Generous donation

Friends of Roxburghe House treasurer Ian Mackie was on hand to accept the £550 donation from Mhairi in the Roxburghe House garden earlier this month.

“Jamie had roped me in with his fundraising, so I thought I would donate my half of the money raised to Roxburghe House,” said Mhairi.

“I chose Roxburghe House because my mum was there in her final days in 2012. I thought Roxburghe was such a lovely place and the staff were just wonderful. We got to stay with mum towards the end, and I could even take my collie in with me.

“One thing that took enormous pressure off me was that my grandad could get a taxi down whenever he wanted, which saved him having to wait for me. My mum managed to pass the way she wanted in a quiet room and not in pain, and for that I will be forever grateful.”

While the couple have not ruled out future fundraising, Mhairi says she is putting her hiking boots away for a while.

“I am glad we did the challenges, but I certainly will not be in a rush to do them again anytime soon, especially not Ben Nevis!”

Support Friends of Roxburghe House

If you are inspired by Jamie and Mhairi's story and would like to support patients and families at Roxburghe House, visit our support page to learn how you can fundraise or donate today.

>> Pictured is Friends of Roxburghe House treasurer Ian Mackie (left) as Jamie and Mhairi Thomson hand over their donation, as well as the duo on their joint fundraising ventures

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