RANGERS charity boss Connal Cochrane aims to climb 100 Munros this year to raise funds . . . and in many of them he will be following in the footsteps of his late mum. Phyllis Cochrane died just over three years ago at the age of 59 following a prolonged battle against cancer.

Connal, who turns 40 in May, had decided to tackle the Munros to raise a targeted £10,000 for the Rangers Charity Foundation, with 10-per cent of that going to a new centre at the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow.

But it was only when he was looking through some of his mum's books on Munros that he realised the extent of her own activities.

"I found that she'd climbed 95 of them . . . she had marked them all off on one of her books," he said.

"I had no idea that mum had completed so many. This made me even more proud of her and more determined to reach 100 Munros this year."

Connal was speaking a few days after the Rangers Charity Foundation revealed it had broken the £1million barrier in cash and in-kind donations since its launch just five years ago.

It hopes to give £75,000 to three charities - the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, British Red Cross and the Scottish Centre for Children with Motor Impairments at Cumbernauld - at the end of the season, adding to more than £375,000 already given over the last five years.

It has also given more than £630,000 of in-kind support to hundreds of groups and individuals, such as signed merchandise and stadium tours, as well as arranging Ibrox visits by hundreds of ill, disabled or underprivileged children.

Players have often made unpublicised visits to children in hospital, too.

Said Connal: "The £1m we've helped raise is more than just a number . . . it has really assisted thousands of vulnerable people who need our help the most."

Connal, who climbed another two Munros in the snow at the weekend - "13 down, 87 to go" - is tackling the hills as a tribute to the memory of Phyllis.

"" had been looking to do something personally to move forward in a positive way, and she loved hillwalking," he said.

"In fact, it was me who got her enthusiastic about hillwalking, when I was in my teens.

"Climbing 100 Munros is a really big challenge because essentially it means me going out every other weekend.

"Mum was treated at the Beatson throughout her seven-year illness. It is going to have a new centre called the Beatson Translational Research Centre, and Glasgow University will head up the fundraising campaign.

"I want to donate £1000 from my own campaign towards that, and one of my sponsors has agreed to double that.

"My personal target is £10,000, or £100 per Munro."

On two of his climbs, Connal will be accompanied by Rangers favourite Nacho Novo, while captain Barry Ferguson and assistant manager Ally McCoist have both signed up for one.

Muriel Gray, patron of the Craighalbert centre at Cumbernauld, will also climb one with him.

Said Ally: "I'm really looking forward to climbing with Connal.

"I'm sure the fans will get behind this challenge and make it a huge success for the Foundation and the charities it backs."

Around 150 Rangers staff and fans will take part in a walk up Ben Lomond on May 25, with the Foundation hoping that each will raise £100 in sponsorship.

Connal added: "We have ambitious plans that will take the Foundation to a new level and will have a significant impact on our charitable giving."

An initiative, the Community Grants Scheme, has sent out £28,000 in cheques to grassroots projects in the Govan area.

First team stars Kris Boyd and Kirk Broadfoot launched it last week in Govan's Whitefield Road Community Hall.

The duo helped local people install a new kitchen in the hall, which was partly paid for by the Foundation with a grant of £3000.

Laptops, musical instruments, sports equipment and children's furniture have been donated to other projects.

To sign up for the Ben Lomond Challenge or to support Connal, contact the Rangers Charity Foundation on 0141 580 8775. E-mail rangerscharity@ rangers. co. uk Donate to Connal's personal fundraising page at www. justgiving.com/M100Challenge

Mar 11