Adventurer celebrates his 60th birthday in charitable style
LISBURN
adventurer Colin Henderson celebrated his 60th birthday in style
recently by trekking over 30km across the Mourne Wall to help raise over
£4,000 for local charities.
Colin Henderson has spent his life seeking adventure and despite his latest birthday has put any thoughts of retiring his walking boots firmly to the back of his mind.
To celebrate this landmark birthday Colin set himself one of the toughest trekking challenges in Northern Ireland — a 12 hour, 30km walk following the Mourne Wall to raise funds for local charities including Marie Curie Cancer Care, The MS Society and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Joined by family and friends from across the globe, including Dawson Stelfox the first Irish person to climb Mount Everest, Colin set-off at 6am trekking across the magnificent Mourne landscape including Slieve Binnian, Slieve Bearnagh, Slieve Meelmore and Slieve Commedagh before finishing the challenge at dusk climbing Slieve Donard - the highest mountain in Northern Ireland. "As a regular visitor to the Mourne Mountains I knew just how physically challenging walking the Mourne Wall was going to be. However to celebrate my 60th birthday I really wanted to test myself to the limit and there is no better surroundings than the Mourne Mountains to do that" he said. "I am delighted that so many people have generously donated money to the initiative and astounded that so many friends and family turned out and joined me on the challenge, including my good friend Aaron who flew in especially from Finland."
The venture was supported by Dame Mary Peter and Robert Swan, the first British person to walk to both the south and north poles. Anyone wishing to support Colin by donating money and/or blood can email colin.henderson@DofE.org.
Ulster Star
06/03/2009
