Remembering Phil O'Donnell 20,000 feet up

Published on Saturday 14 May 2011 13:52

A HOLLYWOOD writer could not have scripted it better. Next Saturday a cast of everyday heroes will scale Mount Cotopaxi in Ecuador - the second highest active volcano in the world - their exertions interlinking perfectly with the drama unfolding back home, as Hampden plays host to the Scottish Cup final.

"The scenario is just incredible," said Darren Jackson, one of those involved in the adventure which sees friends and former colleagues of Phil O'Donnell attempting to scale five volcanoes to raise money for the British Heart Foundation in his memory. "Here we are doing this for Phil and we will be climbing to the summit on cup final day, 20 years since he scored and won the cup final and it's (his former clubs] Motherwell and Celtic in the final. It's all just incredible the way it has worked out.

"We will try to stay in touch to find out (the match result] but I don't think they will have a telly up there."

Admitting to being a tad anxious given the fact that they are venturing into the unknown, he says thoughts of O'Donnell, right, and the thousands they hope to help in his name will serve as motivation.

"We are a bit apprehensive," commented Jackson, "but all 12 of us know that we will achieve it. People are going to struggle, there's no doubt about that but knowing who we are doing it for will get us there, that emotional side of it will help us and then we will celebrate when we get up there."

However, he knows who would have been first to reach the 20,000ft summit if O'Donnell was able to be with them in more than spirit.

"With his fitness levels he would probably be able to run up! He wouldn't have any problem. He would love it. But he would be the quiet man in the background."

Now it's up to others to give something in his name.