A KEEN walker's bid to raise vital funds for a cancer charity by climbing Ben Nevis ended in drama when he had to be airlifted off the mountainside. Ron Godin, 70, collapsed in agony after aggravating an already painful leg injury, and fellow fund-raising climbers had to call for a helicopter. A doctor passing by made him comfortable until help arrived, and Mr Godin was taken to Fort William hospital. Fernhurst man Mr Godin, who lost his wife Shirley to cancer last year, said he almost couldn't attempt the walk after slipping on some shop stairs. Mr Godin, who was the oldest person in the group walking for Breast Cancer Care, said his leg started to hurt halfway up the 4,500- metre climb. He carried on after getting a massage from one of the guides, but the pain started again on the way back down. He said: "Around three or four hours into the descent I twisted my knee slightly. A bit further down I got a shooting pain in my right leg. "I sat down on a rock to rest, then came over all faint. I don't remember what happened next. My son Jamie said I blacked out and was being sick. "When I came round they had laid me down and made me as comfortable as possible. They had put a tent over me and I could vaguely hear the guide talking on the radio." The passing doctor, who happened to be on a trek to the top and passed the fundraisers as they were coming down, helped Mr Godin until the helicopter arrived. He was kept in hospital overnight, and was only released after being given some heavy painkillers. Doctors suspect that walking with a bad leg brought on a hernia. But despite the ending to the climb, Mr Godin insisted he loved climbing the UK's highest peak, and was pleased to have reached the top to raise cash for the charity. He said: "Ben Nevis was beautiful. When we reached the top the scenery was just beautiful." Between them, he and son Jamie have raised £1,200 for Breast Cancer Care, but are still welcoming any donations. Cheques should be made payable to Breast Cancer Care and can be sent to Ron Godin, 40 Nappers Wood, Fernhurst, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 3PB.
