Retired nursing teacher, 90 and grandad, 81, to zipline across River Clyde to raise money for charity

Two pensioners are set to push themselves to the limit by ziplining 100 feet over the River Clyde in Glasgow to raise funds for charities close to their hearts.

Gladys Speedie was inspired to raise money for Glasgow City Mission after witnessing the biggest rise in homelessness in her lifetime.

“Having lived a long life I don’t recall the issue of homelessness like I see it now,” she said. “I only hope I can raise awareness of the need to give help now. Every little would help but more would be better.”

Ms Speedie, who turned 90 in April, wanted to celebrate the landmark birthday by galvanising her friends to sponsor her as she soars across the River Clyde this Friday.

“If people suffer from depression or addiction they need help”, she added. “People who don’t know how to look after themselves need to be given better support than is available now.”

Former students of the retired nursing teacher have been donating to Ms Speedie’s fundraising page, calling her an “inspiration” and a “star”.

Gladys, 90, is helping combat the rise of homelessness in Glasgow. Brain Tumour Research via Supplied

Jack Geddes, Glasgow City mission’s marketing and fundraising manager, said, “We have incredible supporters of all ages and stages.

“Gladys contacted us last year to arrange to join us for this event and we are looking forward to watching her zip slide along the Glasgow skyline this Friday. Gladys is an inspiration to us all!”

Sigvald Lofnes, from Uddingston, was spurred on to raise money for Brain Tumour Research after his daughter passed from brain cancer.

Karen Parry, died of an aggressive glioblastoma (GBM) in 2020 at the age of 52.

Sigvald, 81, was left devastated over the premature loss and despite admitting to not being a “thrill seeker”, he is now set to take to the sky on Sunday in memory of his daughter.

“I’m not usually much of a thrill seeker but I will do anything to raise money to combat this devastating disease since Karen was taken from us”, he said.

“I know she would smile at the idea of me zipping over the river in her memory, we were very close.”

Sigvald was left devastated by the loss of his daughter Karen. JustGiving via Supplied

Mother-of-two Karen was diagnosed with a high-grade tumour in June 2019 after suffering from a spell of headaches, balance issues, and fits.

Karen’s condition rapidly deteriorated, with chemotherapy “wreaking havoc” upon her body, before her death in November 2020.

“She had never had any health issues at all until this point. It all happened so quickly”, Sigvald added.

“She was so brave through it all; after the surgery, she asked the doctors how long she had left, and was told to expect 18 months.

“She never complained, she just accepted it and got on with her life as best as she could. She died at the height of Covid, and the funeral was small.

“We received hundreds of cards from well-wishers; she had touched the lives of so many people.”

With the zipwire challenge, Sigvald is hoping to harness Karen’s memory and raise £2,740 for Brain Tumour Research – the cost of running one of the charity’s Centres of Excellence for a full day.

Louise Aubrey, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “As few as 12% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 54% across all cancers, which highlights the significance of our battle against the disease.

“We are so grateful to Sigvald and wish him the best on his epic zipline this weekend. Only with more support like his and by coming together can we beat brain cancer.”

You can donate to Sigvald’s cause here and Glady’s effort here.