Leading Man Calum Leads The Way In 24 Peaks Challenge

Actor Calum Barbour is taking on the challenge of a lifetime to raise funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland after losing his father to a stroke.

The 30-year-old, from Edinburgh, will take part in the 24 Peaks Challenge in the Lake District in September, climbing a daunting 24 peaks over two gruelling days.

Calum, who has had roles in Outlander on TV and on stage in Trainspotting, has already raised more than £2,600 and has set a target of making a total of £3,000.

Calum says: “I’m young, fit and healthy. But, in all honesty, I don’t think I realised what I’d signed myself up for.

“I’ll never forget the doctor saying that if dad recovered, he’d have a mountain to climb to get back to health. So, I thought I would take on a mountain for him and for the many others who have gone through that struggle. Then I realised what’s involved and I thought ‘oh no!’”

Geoff was 74 when he collapsed with a stroke in April this year. Along with his brothers Iain and Andrew and mum Frances, Calum was able to see Geoff in the days following the stroke, but unfortunately his dad’s condition deteriorated quickly.

Calum, who works as a guide at the Edinburgh Gin Distillery when he is not acting, says: “It’s been a very tough couple of months. We’ve had to go through all those firsts – dad’s birthday, his and mum’s wedding anniversary.

“Dad was a huge music fan and a very keen musician. It’s something we always had in common. I’ve uploaded a video of me singing one of his favourite Beatles songs, Blackbird, on to my social media accounts in his memory. And I’d going to do some busking and boost my fundraising total that way.”

For now Calum has his sights set on the weekend of September 10-12 when he will join others in the 24 Peak Challenge. He’s been training with hikes on the nearby Pentland Hills, although his workouts were put on hold for a couple of weeks when he contracted Covid-19 in June.

Thankfully fully recovered, he is now focused on the formidable two days ahead. The first day of climbing takes the hikers from Bowfell to Green Gable, conquering nine peaks along the way. On the second day, Calum will tackle an astonishing 15 peaks. In total, the challenge covers around 28 miles in two punishing 12-hour stints.

For Calum, the physical challenge will match the emotional one he and his family have endured since his dad’s death.

He says: “These have been the toughest of times, but since losing dad, my family has been even closer than before.

“I chose to raise funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland because you ensure people living with these conditions receive the necessary care they need. I hope the money I raise can help with rehabilitation for stroke victims, and to help provide physical and emotional support for those living with the conditions and their families.

“I set an initial target of £800 that I made in a day. I raised my target to £1,500 and passed that too. Now I have a target of £3,000 and am almost there. It’s overwhelming how supportive and kind people have been.”

Cat Wilson, Community and Events Fundraiser for CHSS said, “Calum is taking on such a heartfelt challenge for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and for that we are so grateful. All money raised in Scotland stays in Scotland to support people living in our communities with chest, heart and stroke conditions, to provide people with the vital support that they need to do more than survive.

“It’s great to see Calum and his friends out training hard for his challenge and we want to wish him all the best in his epic 24 Peaks Challenge in September, he is a true fundraising superhero!”

Help Calum reach and surpass his goal

Calum’s Justgiving Page

See him sing his cover of the Beatles’ Blackbird in memory of his dad on Instagram.