Charity chiefs take on ship mast climb
The race is on to the top of the RRS Discovery as two prominent Tayside figures prepare to battle it out in the ultimate test of speed and heights.
On Sunday, September 27, Shelley McCarthy, of the NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation (NHS TCF), and Roy O’Kane, of Kanzen for Life, will go head-to-head in the Discovery Mast Climb Challenge.
The duo will scale the iconic masts of Captain Scott’s famous research ship to see who can clock the fastest ascent – all in aid of raising vital funds for healthcare innovation across Tayside.
The “rivalry” between McCarthy and O’Kane has already sparked interest across the city’s third sector, but the organisers are now throwing down the gauntlet to the wider Dundee and Angus business communities.
Local companies, emergency services, and hospital departments are being challenged to enter their own teams and settle their own “office grudges” 100 feet above the River Tay.
To support local participation, NHS TCF has announced they will waive the entry fee for any individual or team commiting to a fundraising goal of £500.
This incentive is designed to encourage local businesses to engage in high-impact charitable giving while taking on an unforgettable team-building experience.
Shelley said: “The Discovery is a symbol of Dundee’s grit and innovation – two things we see every day in our local NHS.
“While Roy might think he has the edge, I’m ready to prove that the Foundation team has the head for heights.
“By offering to cover the entry fee for those hitting the £500 target, we want to make it as easy as possible for the community to get involved and support the ‘extras’ that make a world of difference to patients in our wards.”
Roy commented: "Kanzen is all about building resilience and community spirit, so the Mast Climb is the perfect challenge.
“It’s a bit of friendly competition for a very serious cause. I’m looking forward to seeing which other Dundee and Angus businesses are brave enough to join us on the rigging and help us hit those vital fundraising targets!"
The event aims to raise significant funds for NHS TCF, which recently highlighted a £7.8 million demand for health and wellbeing projects across the region.
Funds raised from the climb will support everything from cutting-edge medical research to enhanced patient comfort and community care initiatives like the Hospital Discharge Project.
The NHS TCF is the official charity for NHS Tayside. It funds innovative projects, specialist equipment, and research that go above and beyond core NHS provision, to improve the health and wellbeing of people across Dundee, Angus, and Perthshire.