Cycling ace Stevie Blom tackles Ben Nevis for Return to Life

Stevie Blom, 40, was struck down while at a training camp in Spain and endured an agonising wait for a replacement organ.

His suffering was so bad and the days so dark that he admits he had thoughts about taking his own life.

Thanks to the support of those around him, Stevie finally turned things around and has gone on to set up his own charity, Return to Life.

READ MORE: Renfrewshire cycling ace can’t wait to go Dutch at World Transplant Games

Scotland’s only kidney dialysis support charity, Return to Life supports patients before and after transplant, with Stevie going around the country to share his experience.

But securing funding has been tough, so Stevie, along with co-founder Mark Tweedie, took the decision to close the charity’s Paisley base.

Now he has set himself the challenge of climbing Britain’s highest peak to raise much-needed cash.

Stevie told The Gazette: “A lot of folk don’t realise the lack of help out there or how serious kidney failure can be. People often get a transplant and then are shown the door and have no support.

Stevie will represent The Netherlands in the World Transplant Games in August

“It took me two years to properly recover but you can feel alone for a lot of it.

“We want to be able to continue to support people in the local area and beyond but we need the funds to be able to do that.”

Stevie will take on the challenge with local lads Iain Boyd, William Abraham, Stuart Abraham and Scott MacKintosh after they agreed to reach new heights during a trip to the pub.

READ MORE: Johnstone cycling ace gears up for new challenge

He said: “We were out for a couple of drinks and William, who is a keen hillwalker, suggested it. As you can imagine, we were right up for it at the time.”

The sponsored climb takes place on Saturday, June 1. To support Stevie and Return to Life, make a donation online. 

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