East Ayrshire Man Getting Set to Take Flight for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland 

Malcolm McNinch, from Newmilns, has signed up for the Zipslide the Clyde event at the end of the month to support Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. 

The Zipslide the Clyde event takes place on Sunday 31st August – and there are still places available for those looking for a thrilling challenge while supporting people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid. 

The exhilarating event sees participants zipline from a crane next to the iconic Glasgow Riverside Museum 100 ft in the air and glide 1245 ft along the Clyde. 

For Malcolm, he’s taking part to raise funds for CHSS after the support he received following a heart valve replacement in September 2022. 

The 64-year-old has found the support of Killie Heartmates, a Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland-affiliated peer support group that he attends, vital in his recovery. 

He said: “They’ve been very supportive of me and do a fantastic job.  

“Killie Heartmates has been key to getting me back on my feet with exercise classes. 

“If CHSS is supporting groups like that then I’m more than happy to do a zip slide for them. For me the important thing is knowing that you’re not on your own.” 

Malcolm would recommend the support of Killie Heartmates to anyone with a heart disease and urged them to join him at the Kay Park Parish Church Hall on London Road. 

He added: “I’ve had terrific support. The beauty of being in a group like this is having that support network. People have gone through a variety of different things but you know that somebody there has been through what you’re going through.  

“What’s great about them is they don’t just give you the exercise classes they look after you as a whole to become part of the family. I’m proud to be a Killie Heartmate and I’d say to anyone who’s gone through what I’ve gone through you need more support than you think you can’t just go through it on your own.” 

As a former radiographer, Malcolm is no stranger to medical terms and procedures.

 

However he said having his surgery explained to him was a “daunting” experience. But he’s come on leaps and bounds since through the support of Killie Heartmates.

Malcolm said: “The consultant said to me after the operation he examined my valve and it was so calcified it disintegrated in his fingers. I don’t think I could have carried on much longer without getting it done.

“The difference is quite incredible. I’m now doing a very physical job with the Royal Mail and it’s really tiring but there’s no way I could have done this beforehand. It has made a massive difference to my life. The Golden Jubilee were fantastic.”

Louise MacLeod, Community, Events and Corporate Fundraiser at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said: “Zipslide the Clyde is one of the most thrilling fundraisers out there and we thank Malcolm for his support and taking part for CHSS and we’d encourage other people to sign up and take part. 

“The funds raised will help us to support the 1 in 5 people across the country who are living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid to live their lives to the full.”   

To support Malcolm’s fundraiser please go to www.justgiving.com/page/malcolm-myzipslideacrosstheclyde. 

To sign up to the Zipslide please go to www.chss.org.uk/supportus/fundraise-for-us/events/zipslide-the-clyde/. 

If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text NURSE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.