Monday June 1st 2026
Joe Cairney on the Law
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A North Berwick man is set to take on his ‘greatest challenge’ yet as he prepares to climb the North Berwick Law 63 times in 63 hours, the equivalent height of slightly higher than Mount Everest.
Joe Cairney, 63, is taking on the challenge to raise money for Blood Bikes Scotland, a charity close to his heart that he has been a volunteer for since 2022.
He is taking on the fundraising challenge over the weekend of the 26th to the 28th of June, planning a party at the top of the Law on the Sunday, which he explained as ‘what will get me through’.
Explaining that his motivation is ‘to say thank you’ to Blood Bikes, Joe agreed to take on the charity’s 63 challenge which is part of the group of Everest Challenges aiming to raise funds across each of the five regions Blood Bikes Scotland support NHS Scotland in: Borders, Lothians, Forth Valley, Fife and Tayside. Funds are raised by climbing, walking, running, cycling, swimming, or anything else that is human powered, as long as it is the equivalent to round about 58,720 steps which equals one Everest ascent.
Joe’s 63 challenge is the hardest as 63 ascents of the Law is slightly higher than the actual height of Mount Everest.
Blood Bikes Scotland is a registered volunteer-led charity that provides free medical transport services for the NHS. Their volunteers often use motorcycles or cars to deliver vital blood samples, medications and equipment between hospitals and facilities.
Highlighting that his support stemmed from wanting to give back, Joe explained:
“Having witnessed the care and comfort NHS staff provided our mother in her final months, I wanted to personally give something back. This is why I will push myself for 63 hours, non-stop, in climbing more than the height of the highest mountain on earth. I wanted to say thank you to NHS Scotland.
“Having been a volunteer with BBS for several years, I have seen many times the tremendous impact our services deliver and the positive effect it has on patients, NHS staff, families and communities. So far this year, the service BBS provides across all the regions we cover, has increased by over 30%. Therefore, to do more, we need to raise much needed funds so BBS can be certain it can rise to the challenge and deliver even more.”
Having completed many fitness challenges in the past that include several marathons, Joe is confident ahead of the challenge despite highlighting it as the ‘greatest challenge I have ever taken on’, adding that ‘knowing the personal motivation I have for the cause, I am hopeful it will be accomplished’.
He explained: “My training has been in the gym, building strength, and long hill walks to build endurance. Last week I climbed the Law 40 times.”
Encouraging people to donate, Joe added:
“NHS Scotland is there whenever we need them, and Blood Bikes Scotland, supports it 365 days a year, rain or shine. Please, please, support me, so I can support Blood Bikes Scotland, in supporting NHS Scotland, who supports all of us. Together, we can conquer Everest, one step at a time.”
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