THE BROTHER of a 12-year-old boy who tragically lost his life after falling into difficulty in water is taking on a Munro challenge to honour his memory.
Kai Thomson will brave the winter elements next month by scaling Ben Lomond to coin in cash for two charities close to heart.
The 22-year-old says the climb will help him to grieve the loss of his little brother, Kayden Walker, who sadly drowned in the River Tay during a water sports activity in 2019.
Kai, from Calton, said: “It was the worst day of all of our lives. He was on a boogieboard and for whatever reason, he fell into the water.
“He was your everyday 12-year-old boy – full of life, cheeky and so energetic. He had a whole life ahead of him which is sad, but we are lucky to have the memories that we had with him.
“I have a younger brother who is five and is starting to look and even act so much like Kayden, it is scary. We miss him every day.”
Next month's charity challenge won't be the first to be completed by the family in memory of Kayden after Kai and a group of friends marched from Glasgow to Balloch last year.
Kai said: "The charity events are a coping mechanism for me.
“Instead of sitting around crying we can put our energy into something amazing that will help others, it’s what he would have wanted.
“He was starting to get so outdoorsy and was right into his football, so I’m sure he would have loved this charity event if he was still here.”
A spate of tragic water-related in Scotland over the summer "hit home" for Kayden's family and motivated Kai to do more for the charities that helped them when they lost his little brother.
The family has chosen to donate the funds raised to the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity and the Brightest Star.
“Every time we hear that someone has died in the water it really brings it back for us", said Kai.
"My mum will be on the phone straight away and we will talk it through.
“You really relate to the family that is going through the trauma, it’s awful. It makes us so sad, it just brings it all back in one moment and it really hits home.
"During the summer, it really made me think about what I could do to help remember those who had lost their lives. So, I set my heart on another fundraising challenge.
“It gives us something exciting to do in his memory and we can give back to the charities that helped us when we needed it after losing him. We can't thank them enough for what they have done for us."
So far, Kai has collectively raised more than £800 with a goal of reaching £1000.
He added: “If we can raise any more than that, then that would be absolutely amazing.”
The climb will take place on November 5 followed by an overnight stay at a nearby campsite.
Any donations to the online fundraiser can be made HERE.
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