AS A fit 22-year-old, Brian Thomson didn't think twice about climbing a tree to raise funds for Children in Need, but it was more of a challenge when he repeated it 20 years later, having lost the use of his legs in an accident.
The former scaffolder was determined not to let his disability stop him raising funds for the charity, however, and vowed to spend three days suspended from the tree, outside the Ship Inn in North Berwick.
The first time he climbed the tree, all he had to do was clamber into the branches, but this time he assembled a complicated pulley system. He pulled himself up yesterday afternoon, and has already spent one night sleeping on a stretcher-shaped platform attached to the branches.
He plans to stay up till tomorrow, and hopes to raise around £2,000.
He is even hoping for bad weather, as it might persuade more people to take pity on him and donate more cash.
Mr Thomson said: "I was looking out my window and thinking about doing something for Children in Need. I climbed the same tree 20 years ago, so I thought there's no reason I can't do it again.
"Obviously it's a bit more complicated this time. There's no power in my legs to climb the tree. I pulled myself up with a pulley system, which takes some of the weight.
"I think just lying still for that amount to time will be one of the hardest things. And it'll be tough if the wind is blowing and cold sets in, but I'm actually hoping the weather will be awful, as people will feel sorry for me."
He had already collected £300 while setting up yesterday and in total hopes to raise at least £2,000.
Mr Thomson was paralysed while working as a tour guide in Zimbabwe in September 2001. He was crushed under a vehicle he was trying to repair, which severed his spinal chord. He spent more than six months in hospital before he could return home.
He has refused to let his situation prevent him living life to the full. He loves camping and diving, and has become passionate about raising money.
He clambered to the peak of North Berwick Law in a fundraising challenge to mark his 40th birthday, and has been clapped in stocks outside St Andrew Blackadder Church, allowing onlookers to hurl food at him.
He said: "There are some aspects of my life that are really horrible, but I try not to let it get me down. I still travel a lot, and I go diving in Egypt. I've got a hand bike and a quad bike, and I try and keep as active as I can.
"I think Children in Need is a great cause – every child deserves a good start in life."
To support Brian, visit www.justgiving.com /brianstreesleep.
