FORMER Scotland and Rangers star Willie Henderson is climbing the live volcano Krakatoa in memory of his late daughter.
Michelle Henderson passed away last October aged just 28 following a two-year battle with cervical cancer.
Before her untimely death, the former model and athlete, set up The Michelle Henderson Cervical Cancer Trust (MHCCT) to educate other women of the dangers of the disease and also raise funds for research and support.
Now loving father Willie, 69, will lead a group of 22 people on an eight-day climb of Mount Krakatoa in Indonesia to raise funds for MHCCT.
He said: “First and foremost, myself and my wife Veronica would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who have supported, and continue to support the Trust.
“Michelle wanted to raise funds to buy much-needed medical equipment for local hospitals and this is where the money raised by the trek will go.”
The idea for the eight-day fundraiser first came about after Mr Henderson took part in a 100-mile trek across the Gobi Desert two years ago.
He added: “The trek was to raise money for the Davie Cooper Centre, which was set up in his memory after he died of a brain haemorrhage at the age of 39, and Motor Neurone Disease, which Jimmy Johnstone succumbed to.
“Once we’d done that, some of the people who’d been involved said they wanted to do another trek in aid of Michelle’s charity.”
Mr Henderson, who was a winger with Rangers in the 1960s, has been in training for nine months for the challenge but admitted he is still apprehensive about the jungle.
He said: “I lived in Hong Kong for a time, so I’m used to heat and humidity, but I’ve never been in the jungle before.
“We’ve all been to seminars explaining about all the different creatures and types of terrain we may encounter but it’s still hard to know what to expect.
“The trekkers are already close to their target total of £10,000. Anyone who wishes to donate should visit the Indo United Fundraising Page on the Virgin Money Giving website.”
Mr Henderson added: “All Michelle wanted was to help people who found themselves in the same situation she did and I’m determined that that is what we will continue to do.”
