SCALING the summit of Britain’s tallest mountain to take part in the one of the highest Huddles on earth in aid of the Celtic FC Foundation is a moment that will live with Hoops fan Roddy MacIsaac for the rest of his days.

The 57-year-old car mechanic from Oban joined a gallant group of fellow Celts for the annual Ben Nevis Huddle last year to raise money for the charitable arm of the club and he has been hooked by the experience and is now calling on the Celtic faithful to join in the adventure.

“I did it in 2014 and I got a great buzz out of it,” said Roddy, a father of two who acts as secretary for the Oban No. 1 Celtic Supporters’ Club in his spare time.

“I had been following the Foundation for the past year or so and my family and I have gone to a couple of the functions, including the dinner. That was great and I thoroughly enjoyed that.

“When the Ben Nevis Huddle came up I spoke to a few people who took part in the climb in 2013 and I thought I’ll just go for it.

“I’ve never climbed anything in my life but it’s a wonderful thing to do and the fact that I’ve done it at my age and that I’m thinking of doing it again means that most folk can do it.”

This event is now in its third year and offers Celtic supporters from all over the world a chance to come together and contribute to the fantastic work of the Foundation, which seeks to uphold and promote the founding principles of the club.

Each year the charitable arm of Celtic strives to raise money to assist those who face daily challenges with Health, Equality, Learning and Poverty (HELP) and the Ben Nevis Huddle is just one of the many events organised to achieve that goal.

Originally created to celebrate the club’s 125th anniversary, the event has now become an annual occurrence and places are now open for those wishing to participate in the 2015 climb.

Roddy said it offers supporters the perfect way to get together to celebrate everything the club stands for.

He added: “There is a great vibe on your way up. There was entertainment laid on at a hotel the evening before and there were lots of Celtic people there, who are great company, and you’re never short of something to talk about.

“When you head off, even if you’re on your own, you meet loads of people. I met people I haven’t seen for years and met a bunch of guys from the Fort William Celtic Supporters’ Club and went with them for most of the journey.

“You then have people come past you or you walk past others so you’re meeting folk all the time and it’s a tremendous experience.

“You also have people monitoring your progress every quarter of the way and I found that very reassuring.

“When you get to the top, you’ve done it and you take it all in. It’s tremendous and it’s something I’ll do this year and next year again if it’s going.

“It is something that has caught me and I’m hooked.

“The social side of it really appealed to me as well as the health side. It gives you time out and it’s a very pleasurable day. I couldn’t say anything against it. I think it’s brilliant.

“Even afterwards and it’s a great day.

“It helps spread word about the Foundation and it’s a worthwhile cause to be raising money for. I know what the Foundation does and I keep my eye on it.

“Every time I go to Celticfc.net I look at the Foundation’s page because I have an interest and I know a number of people that they’re helping. A lot of schools have benefited from the Foundation money and it also helps people all over the world.

“I’d recommend people to get involved.”

For more information on the Ben Nevis Huddle and to get involved in the 2015 event, head to http://charity.celticfc.net/index