Father Ness defies the odds to climb Ben Nevis for SCIAF

A huge thanks to Father Owen Ness who defied the odds to climb Britain’s highest mountain, raising money for our Real Gift of a Water lifeline which helps poor communities around the world keep their crops alive.

Father Ness, parish priest at St John Bosco’s in Easterhouse, which is comprised of St Benedict’s and St Clare’s churches, suffers from a severe back condition called stenosis - a progressive narrowing of the spinal canal.

Last year, Father Ness was unable to walk and had to take time out of his parish to recover. He still struggles to get out of bed each day but refuses to let the condition beat him.

Despite his painful condition he recently scaled Ben Nevis with the help of his parishioners, raising a fantastic £1,921 for our work in some the world's poorest communities.

We were delighted to welcome Father Ness and his parishioners to our offices in Glasgow recently where he handed over a cheque to Charlotte Hull, our Head of Fundraising, Communications and Education.

We can’t thank Father Ness enough for his bravery and determination in climbing Ben Nevis and his parishioners and others who very kindly donated money for the Real Gift of a Water Lifeline.

Real Gifts are a brilliant way to give a gift that makes a difference to people in need in the world. When you buy a Real Gift for a loved one, you’re providing something vital to our sisters and brothers in Africa, Asia and Latin America and also giving a thoughtful gift to someone in your life.