Rangers legend Willie Henderson has given his backing to the "incredibly kind-hearted" group of intrepid trekkers who are soaring to an altitude of 4500m in the Himalayas in aid of the charity set up in memory of his late daughter.
Airdrie-born Willie, 78, bid the 14-strong troupe of generous participants a hearty farewell at Glasgow Airport as they jetted off to Nepal last weekend.
The trekkers, from all across Scotland, are fundraising for the Michelle Henderson Cervical Cancer Trust.
Willie's daughter Michelle tragically died of cervical cancer on her 28th birthday in 2012, having been diagnosed two years earlier.
She tirelessly spent her final months campaigning to raise awareness of the disease and set up the Michelle Henderson Cervical Cancer Trust.
A spokesman for the Denis's Mardi Himal For Michelle Nepal trek told Lanarkshire Live : "The trek had initially been due to go ahead in 2020 but was delayed due to COVID restrictions both here and in Nepal until now.
"The team of 14 volunteers will be trekking up to an altitude of 4500m in the Himalayas and have been training for the past three years in the mountains of Scotland.
"The Michelle Henderson Cervical Cancer Trust is run by unpaid volunteers and 100 per cent of all money donated is used to purchase life-saving medical equipment.
"We are all looking forward to the challenge of the trek and hope to raise as much money as we can for the Trust."
Willie Henderson lifted two league titles, reached a European final twice, was capped 29 times for his country and even made two appearances for hometown club Airdrieonians during his glittering football career.
But the legendary Rangers hero counts his achievements in honour of the trust, which include spending his 75th birthday trekking 100 miles in the blistering 30-degree heat of the Sahara desert in 2019, among his finest moments.
Willie wanted to continue his daughter’s work by raising cash for cervical units and raising awareness about the importance of screening.
He said: “We need to get that message across.
“I say that while embarrassment will not kill you, cervical cancer might. It is a tough, brutal statement but it is true.
“I promised Michelle I’d keep this message going.”
To donate to the Denis's Mardi Himal For Michelle fundraiser, visit here.
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