The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Jamie Andrew, the Scottish mountaineer who lost both of his hands and feet after a mountaineering accident in the French Alps, has today launched one of Scotland’s toughest challenge events – The Push 2016.

The Push takes place on Saturday 10 September across the Pentland Hills. The event sees participants walk, jog or run across the Pentlands, choosing from one of three distances – 10 miles, 14 miles or 26.2 miles. With the combination of elevation, terrain and distances – the routes for The Push make this one of the toughest outdoor events in Scotland.

This year’s event includes new routes across the Pentland Hills, ensuring the event remains a tough challenge for all those who take part.

The Push is a major fundraising event for St Columba’s Hospice, a local palliative care provider in Edinburgh. The Hospice provides free end-of-life care to patients from across Edinburgh and the Lothians, and support to their families. Whilst the charity is based in Edinburgh it has a global impact on the development of palliative care through its dedicated Centre for Education and Research. All the care provided by the Hospice to patients and families is free and the Hospice must raise the equivalent of £22,000 every day to continue running.

Jamie Andrew launched The Push as his inspirational story will encourage those thinking about taking part in the event. 17 years ago Jamie was involved in a terrible accident in the French Alps. He was climbing in the Alps with his friend and they were caught out in a storm. After five days and nights clinging to the side of the mountain, the search and rescue services were able to rescue the pair. Sadly it was too late for Jamie’s friend and climbing partner who had died. Jamie’s life was saved through the amputation of both his hands and feet. Now, after a long recovery he is mountaineering once again through cleverly attaching equipment to his limbs to enable him to climb sheer rock races and mountains.

Jamie said: “The Push is a fantastic event and I am pleased to be able to launch it with St Columba’s Hospice. As a mountaineer I have taken on many challenges and have found that when I set myself a target it’s a great way to keep getting outside and training. The Push is a really great challenge for all those who participate, whether you do 10 miles, 14 miles or 26.2miles – set yourself the challenge and get training!”

Alex Sharp, challenge events manager at St Columba’s Hospice added: “For The Push 2016 we have new routes and a new start point, meaning anyone who has taken part before can do so again and have a new and amazing experience. The Push really is one of Scotland’s toughest challenge events, not only because of the height you will climb as you walk the hills, but also because of the distance and the terrain. The Push is also great fun – getting out on to the Pentland Hills with your team to practice and the atmosphere on the day make this a really special and rewarding experience for all those who take part.”

John Strachan, managing director of Maximillion Events, said: “At Maximillion Events we are delighted to be working with St Columba’s Hospice to run The Push 2016. We have been working closely with the team at the Hospice to ensure this year’s event is better than ever. We know that all the participants will enjoy the new routes and see the very best the Pentland Hills has to offer, as well as enjoying the great atmosphere created by the participants themselves! We can’t wait for the event to take place!”

To sign up to The Push go to www.pentlandpush.com.

Pictures: Neil Hanna