Kind-hearted Brian Thomson is nearing the conclusion of his latest ambitious fundraising mission, after he ‘shipwrecked’ himself on the Isle of Fidra.

Brian, paralysed from the waist down following an accident 11 years ago, was taken to the uninhabited Forth island on Saturday for a week-long solo stay with just water and no food to live on and without any form of entertainment – all in aid of Children in Need.

He spoke to the Courier before being taken to Fidra, saying: “It will be hard, I’m not kidding myself because I know it will be difficult.

“Even a good book can break up the day a bit but I’m not taking a book. On days when the weather’s bad, it will be difficult because I’ll be stuck in the tent.” Brian also acknowledges that his movements may be severely restricted by the rough terrain, not suitable for his wheelchair.

“There is grass, so I might get myself to there and drag my wheelchair with me,” he added.

As he departed, he was over halfway to his target, having raised £1,112.38; he hopes to raise a total of £2,000 by his return this Saturday.

Brian, who has undertaken a number of challenges before, added: “This one has attracted more attention than the others – on Thursday I was on the radio.” The challenge, which has seen Brian communicate only through a radio with his wife, is the latest in a string of high-profile fundraising campaigns organised by the 47-year-old, who has previously climbed North Berwick Law using only his hands, driven to South Africa from John O’Groats, and suspended himself from a tree on the town’s Quality Street.