Malcolm Sargent fundraiser May to take to the skies

Apr 23 2008 By Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post

SHE spends her time getting other people to do daft things for charity.

But now May Gilchrist is ready to lead from the front and plunge from the skies – even though she’s terrified of heights.

The Malcolm Sargent fundraising chief is responsible for raking in cash at the Prestwick kids’ cancer home.

And although she usually takes a back seat when it comes to the action, May has now decided to take the bull by the horns.

She’ll lead a team from the House in sliding across a zip line at Glasgow’s Finnieston Quay.

But she admitted: “I’m terrified. Even speaking about it scares me and I feel like I’m talking myself out of it.

“I don’t know how I’ll be on the day, but I’ll have my eyes shut the whole way across so hopefully I won’t know much about it.”

May and her staff raise thousands each year in providing facilities for kids and their families dealing with the effects of cancer.

Events range from art exhibitions to the hit Boxing Day dip, which sees hundreds of volunteers braving freezing temperatures to charge into Prestwick beach.

May admitted: “I always stay in the background and stick to organising the events but I’ve decided to have a crack at doing something myself for a change.

“And when I mentioned I was doing it, other people put their hands up and said they wanted to join me.

“I’ve got a guy called Billy Herd from Prestwick coming along and he’s 70 years old. It’s fantastic.

“But I’m beginning to wonder why I’m doing it – I’ll be more than 100 feet in the air and I’m petrified of heights.

“However, I’m sure it will be worth it when raising the money.”

May tackles her ‘Glide Across The Clyde’ later this year.

To donate to her cause, send cheques to the Malcolm Sargent House.