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Inverness pair fling themselves into clifftop challenge


By Val Sweeney

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Irene Pearson and Norma Gault.
Irene Pearson and Norma Gault.

TWO daredevil grandmothers are preparing to hurl themselves off a 124ft high cliff in a joint 75th birthday celebration to raise money for a Highland charity.

Lifelong friends Irene Pearson and Norma Gault will experience the UK’s most northerly zip line, which reaches speeds of up to 45mph above the beach at Durness, to raise money for the Haven Appeal.

The Inverness pair have already raised thousands of pounds for the ambitious appeal which aims to raise £4 million to develop Scotland’s first multi-purpose centre in Inverness for children and young people with severe disabilities.

With their birthdays just two months apart, the two stalwarts decided to make it a memorable milestone by inviting people to sponsor them to do the Golden Eagle Zip Line on June 29.

“Doing this instead of a party will be much less hassle,” said Mrs Pearson, of Craigard Terrace.

“We have already got over £1000 in sponsorship so come hell or high water we have to do it otherwise we would get lynched!

“I am quite looking forward to it. There is no point in being nervous. You might as well just open your eyes and enjoy it. It is such a beautiful beach.”

Mrs Pearson will turn 75 on July 12. She and her husband Graham have two sons and two granddaughters.

Mrs Gault, whose birthday was on May 19, said the idea for the challenge came about after her grandchildren did the zip line and joked it was her turn next.

Despite her initial reluctance, she was talked into doing it as a sponsored fundraiser.

“I feel a bit apprehensive,” she said. “But I am hoping the weather is fine and it goes ahead.”

Mrs Gault and her husband Billy have a son and three daughters and three granddaughters and a grandson.

The two ladies are members of the Singing For Pleasure Group which meets at Merkinch Community Centre and is run by Elsie Normington, founder of the Elsie Normington Foundation which launched the Haven Appeal.

The pair feel passionate about the appeal and started fundraising by holding a joint 70th birthday party.

Since then, they have organised ceilidhs, coffee mornings, quizzes and encouraged others to donate and hold events including one at the V8 Café in the Longman Industrial Estate.

“The centre is going to be for the whole of the north – not just Inverness,” Mrs Gault said.

“It is so badly needed and will give parents a break.”


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