Krystin to scale the Forth Bridge in memory of Patricia

A retired teacher is gearing up to take on a Mission: Impossible style challenge, in memory of her sister, Patricia Blackburn, to help raise awareness and funds for MND Scotland.

Krystin Clyne (69), the former Head Teacher of Edinburgh’s Kaimes School for pupils with Autism, will be taking on the nerve-wracking challenge with her daughter, Fiona Harris (41), a West Lothian primary school teacher.

The mother-daughter duo is taking on the challenge in memory of Krystin’s sister, Patricia Blackburn, a former Consultant Psychiatrist. Patricia died in June last year, just 20 months after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided.

Krystin said: “Pat was 69 years old when she passed away. She was incredibly brave throughout her illness, thinking only of others. She was a loving, lovely, loved granny who was devoted to her husband, children and grandchildren.

“Pat had a heart for the vulnerable and she enriched the lives of so many with her charitable work. She undertook prison chaplaincy work as a volunteer for many years, using her understanding of issues surrounding addiction, to help people find recovery. She travelled to Liberia, Uganda, Kenya and Malawi, using her skills to transform the lives of individuals and families.”

Inspired by her sister’s legacy, now Krystin and her daughter are preparing to test their metal by taking on the white-knuckle challenge to raise funds for MND Scotland.

“My daughter, Fiona Harris, and I are taking on the challenge of abseiling off the Forth Rail Bridge. Thanks to the generosity of friends, family and strangers, we have managed to raise £2,200 for MND Scotland so far and it’s my hope that we can continue Pat’s legacy of giving in her memory.”

“Neither of us are into high risk sporting activities, like abseiling down bridges, but we’re both passionate about supporting MND Scotland. Having watched my sister cope so bravely with this torturous terminal illness, we want to do what we can to raise money, so that others can benefit.

“My sister’s daughter Sarahn, a doctor like her mother, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro last year with two friends for MND and raised a few thousand pounds. My son Andrew has run two London marathons in recent years, raising much needed funds for charity.

“It is wonderful to see these younger members of our family, despite their busy family lives and hectic careers, reaching out and being willing to contribute to the community in whatever way they can.

“I was fortunate enough to be a volunteer at MND Scotland’s annual Fun Run in Holyrood Park in August and I hope to continue to volunteer for this charity alongside a number of wonderful, generous people. It just goes to show that MND Scotland can be supported in many ways…not just by jumping off bridges!”

Iain McWhirter, Head of Fundraising at MND Scotland, said: “I’d like to thank Krystin and Fiona for taking on the MND Scotland abseil to help raise the profile of MND and funds for the charity.

“MND Scotland is the leading charity in Scotland providing information, care and support to people affected by MND, as well as funding cutting-edge research into a cure. We wouldn’t be able to do any of this if it weren’t for people like Krystin and Fiona, who are willing to throw themselves into scary challenges, like this one, to help raise sponsorship.

“I wish Krystin and Fiona all the best for their challenge and all of the team at MND Scotland will be cheering them on.”

You can support Krystin and Fiona by sponsoring them at: https://aceabseil-oct2018.everydayhero.com/uk/i-m-abseiling-off-the-forth-rail-bridge