Stand comedy club director in dramatic mountain rescue

The director of The Stand comedy clubs, Kenny O’Brien, has been involved in a dramatic helicopter rescue in the Cairngorms.

His climbing partner Glenn Gordon slipped and broke his leg while on a  snowy crag earlier this month and the pair of them had to be airlifted off the mountain.

They were on a climb called Pot of Gold in Coire an t-Sneachda in the Northern Corries, and Glenn was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for treatment.

Now to say thank you he and another friend Gregor Morrison will climb a vertical mile wearing kilts to raise money.

Kenny said: ‘We were halfway up the crag when Glenn slipped, caught a crampon point and broke his leg in three places. 

‘Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team co-ordinated the operation and a coastguard helicopter came and lifted us off. We might have rescued ourselves, but it would have been painful and risky, so we are hugely grateful for the help we received.

‘We wanted to do something to say thanks, and to raise money for their coffers so they can be ready and able to help the next person. Mountain rescue is largely undertaken by volunteers with little funding. 

‘They help anyone who needs them, not just climbers, in Scotland’s remote and beautiful places where a small slip can have big consequences.’

Now he and Gregor will ascend a vertical mile by repeatedly scaling the 100ft (30m) climbing wall at Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, the UK’s highest.

‘We have no idea how difficult this might be, we just decided to do it. It’s a lot of climbing, roughly equivalent to Arthur’s Seat on top of Ben Nevis,’ Kenny added. ‘Climbing will require strong arms, belaying will require strong stomachs.’

The sponsored climb will take place on February 13, Kenny’s 47th birthday. 

Donations can be made via JustGiving, where they are already three-quarters of the way to their £1,000 target.

Published: 25 Jan 2018