Climb a Corbett

Adventurers are being challenged to climb more than 200 mountains to raise cash for people affected by cancer.  Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland want people to sign up to take part in its Conquer a Corbett challenge, which raised over £40,000 for the charity in 2007.

Last year fundraisers climbed 129 of the Corbetts for Macmillan, but this year the charity want to have someone climb every single one of the country's 219 Corbetts - the name of all Scotland's hills and mountains between 2500ft and 2999ft high.

One walker who will be taking part is Maurice Hickey. The 48-year-old conquered Quinag in the Highlands last year in memory of his father who died of bowel cancer in January 2006, aged 75. The pharmacist, from the Highlands, enjoyed the challenge so much that he decided to sign up to take part again this year.

The dad-of-two, who has also climbed in the Himalayas and the Alps, said:

"I decided to conquer a Corbett last year for a number of reasons. Obviously since my dad died from cancer, I really appreciate the work Macmillan do. My dad was also a supporter of Macmillan for a long time, and I've come into contact with some fantastic Macmillan nurses.

"When I did the event last year I really enjoyed the climb, and I think there's no better place in the world to remember someone than on the top of a mountain or hill. This year I will climb to the top and toast my dad, and I'm hoping to have a group of people with me. "I'd urge everyone to consider taking part in Conquer the Corbetts because as well as raising money for Macmillan they'll also have a really great time. I find that climbing makes me feel very alive, and the views from the top are always amazing. The scenery that you can see from Scotland's mountains rival the scenery anywhere in the world."

Conquer a Corbett runs throughout May. Anyone with a moderate level of fitness can take part, as along with some very challenging mountains suitable for seasoned mountain-climbers, there are easier hills that are suitable for those who have never climbed before.

All those who take part can choose which Corbett to climb, and choose when to do it - as long as it's in May.  Participants can climb more than one Corbett, and challenges can be completed in teams. In fact Macmillan recommends that inexperienced climbers don't take on the challenge alone.

Macmillan Cancer Support fundraising manager Shirley Millar said: "Conquer the Corbetts is a fantastic event that proved very popular last year with seasoned climbers and beginners alike. Everyone who took part really enjoyed the experience and said they were looking forward to taking on the Corbett challenge for Macmillan in 2008.

"We were delighted with how much we raised last year from the challenge, however we'd like to raise even more this year. I'd urge everyone who is moderately fit to take part in this event. As well as raising money to help Macmillan improve the lives of people affected by cancer, you'll have lots of fun, get some fresh air and enjoy some of the most amazing views in the world. "

To find out more about Conquer the Corbetts, or to register, visit

www.macmillan-corbetts.org.uk, email conqueracorbett@macmillan.org.uk, or

call 01382 226 150.

Corbetts background info

All hills and mountains in Scotland between 2500ft and 2999ft high are known as Corbetts.  They are named after John Rooke Corbett who complied a lisst of the peaks in the 1920s.

Coming just short of the 3000ft Munros, the Corbetts have been over-looked by walkers and climbers. However in recent years there has been a surge of interest in the smaller hills among climbers who feel the Munros are over-climbed and over-rated.

Scattered throughout Scotland, the Corbetts offer a fantastic variety of walking and climbing experiences. There are hundreds of Corbetts to choose from, and although each one is set in equally beautiful scenery, the experience of climbing each of the 219 Corbetts varies wildly.

Some Corbetts are difficult to get to and may require as much as a full day trek to reach. Corbetts can also be more difficult to climb than Munros because there is less of an obvious path, due to the lesser number of walkers who have made the climb.

However other Corbetts offer a much more gentle and easy climb that can be completed in only a few hours, making them conquerable by anyone with a moderate level of fitness.

About Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer,providing practical, emotional, medical and financial support.   One in three or us will get cancer.  1.2 million of us are living with it.  We are all affected by cancer, and we can all help

9 February 2008