Jim Dressel, a member of the Bridge of Don Ward in Aberdeen and a retired Robert Gordon University Social Work Teacher, along with his grand daughter Kiera-Leanne, climbed up and down Mount Kilimanjaro in 6 days to raise funds for MND Scotland. At midnight on the fourth day they set off on the final part of the ascent and reached the summit, Uhuru peak, at 9am then descended quickly within a day and a half.
On 26 March 2014 Jim's best friend and member, Keith Turnbull, died from Motor Neurone Disease. He was a fun-loving and friendly person. He was a family orientated man who enjoyed serving within the community. He was also a humble and forgiving person, energetic and competitive. When he was younger he enjoyed a life of sport including cross country running, hockey and sailing.
Keith's dream to get to the top of Mount Bennachie in Aberdeenshire was achieved in June 2014. Jim, with a group of Church members from adapted a wheelchair and pulled and pushed him to the summit. Jim commented, 'it was a terrific experience for the group being able to assist Keith and to be of practical support to raise £5172.00 for Motor Neurone Disease Scotland.
In celebration of Keith's life and to be of assistance to the community Jim and Kiera-Leanne decided to join the challenge presented by MND Scotland to climb Kilimanjaro. They joined with 27 others who had experienced the death of a relative or friend from Motor Neurone Disease. The group have now raised in excess of £183,110.15.
Jim remarked, 'the climb was a major physical and emotional challenge but an absolutely wonderful experience which could not have been done without the support of the 27 others in the group.”