Kevin Thomson will raise money for Scotland’s largest health charity in honour of his dad Jim who died of a stroke six years ago
A Musselburgh man will take part in an adrenaline-fuelled fundraiser in honour of his dad.
Kevin Thomson will be one of hundreds of brave daredevils to abseil 165 feet down the UNESCO World Heritage Site on Sunday, 28th September to support Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.
The senior playwork practitioner said: “I’ve always wanted to do something for charity and never have.
“In 2019 following an infection my dad, Jim, died of a massive stroke at the age of 77. That started quite a tumultuous six years in my life and that’s me just getting back onto an even keel now.
“At the start of the year I was thinking about doing something different. So I emailed CHSS before a date was confirmed for this year but once the date was announced they got in touch and helped me set up my fundraising page. I just want to do it in his memory.”
Jim had an aortic valve replaced at the end of 2017 but was taken into hospital in June 2019 with an infection. After being moved hospitals from the Western to the General, he became unwell and died of a massive stroke waiting for a procedure.
Kevin said: “He was my best friend. My mum died when I was 18 so it was me and him through thick and thin. We thought when he had the valve replaced that he’d get a new lease of life. He did all the right things, he looked after himself and this thing just reared its head unfortunately.”
The 52-year-old added: “When I was thinking about charities, I’d done a little bit of rock climbing in my teenage years, and I remembered abseiling and I thought it sounded quite fun and when it coincided the abseil was to raise funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland it was the perfect opportunity and a great cause.
“There’s a lot of motivation for me. I think if you’re able bodied you should at least try and do one thing for charity because there’s so many people in a different boat who, if they were able-bodied, would be doing things themselves.
“He would be laughing at me every step of the way, and I’m actually surprising myself, to be honest. I was speaking to a friend who has done it and she said it’s a totally unique experience doing it off the bridge.”
To support Kevin’s fundraiser please go to www.justgiving.com/page/kevin-thomson-13.
If you’re inspired to take part in the abseil yourself this year you can sign up at https://www.abseil.scot.
Stephanie Wilks, Community, Events and Corporate Fundraiser for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said: “We thank Kevin for his participation in the 2025 Forth Bridge Abseil and wish him all the best in his fundraising and on the day.
“Every pound raised through fundraising helps CHSS to support the one in five people in Scotland who are living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid to live life to the full.
“It helps us to provide advice and support through our free Advice Line service, stroke nurses, online health information, support groups, supported self management courses and much more.”
If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and are looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899.
You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.
