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Ninety year old to climb ship mast

Published on 17 Sept 2024

At 90-years-old, Kelso, from County Durham, is preparing to climb the mast of the Cutty Sark to raise money for our blind veterans.

Kelso, who has been a supporter of our charity for many years, will take on the challenge on 24 September.

Kelso and his son in Napoleonic Army costumes stood in a field during a re-enactment
Kelso during a re-enactment
Kelso smiling at the camera, wearing a grey jacket. He is stood outside with a very grey sky.
Kelso

The main mast of the Cutty Sark stands at 153 feet high. Kelso says:

"The climb may not appear to be a huge challenge, but earlier this year I celebrated my 90th birthday. I can’t imagine many 90-year-olds have done this.”

Love of ships

Kelso has been fascinated by the history of ships since he was a young boy. He says:

“One of my favourite books growing up was “Wonderful story of the sea” which told the history of ships and shipping from dugout canoes to early 20th century liners. I’ve spent much time visiting various ships around the world and when I retired, I fulfilled a promise to my grandchildren and built a pirate ship in the garden.
“I’m currently engrossed in the story of Franklin’s expedition which was dispatched by the admiralty in May 1845 to find and navigate the northwest passage. Two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror sailed to Canada and were never seen again.
“When planning a trip to the Maritime Museum at Greenwich to gather more information about HMS Terror, I discovered the opportunity to climb the mast of the Cutty Sark, a challenge I could not refuse.”

Interest in military history

Together with his son, Kelso is a member of a local military re-enactment group, the 68th Society which portrays their local regiment, the Durham Light Infantry. He says:

“I have had a long-time interest in military history ever since discovering an ancestor who served with Wellington’s Army from 1807 to 1827. All of his time was served as a Private in the Royal Scots and he survived the Peninsula Campaign and the battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo.”

Supporting our charity

Kelso began to support our charity when his son was serving in the Army. He served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kenya and Iraq. Kelso himself completed National Service with the RAF. He says:

“Watching the annual Remembrance Day parade at the Cenotaph, I get quite emotional when the blind veterans march past with heads held high, I’m full of admiration for them. I am also full of admiration for the people who help these ex-Service men and women to rebuild their lives after sight-loss.”

Kelso has already raised over £700. You can help him to boost his total:

Visit his Just Giving page

Would you like to take on your own challenge for our blind veterans? 

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