'Duloch Spiderman' gears up for another year of fundraising

Dave Roper, the man behind the Duloch Spiderman mask, took home the Charity Champion award in 2023 for his heroic fundraising efforts throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. 

He told the Press: "I really didn’t expect to win last year's award. I was geared up to have a great night, and when my name was called out I was very surprised! 

"It was such a great acknowledgement for a lot of hard work, and the award still has pride of place in my office."

Dave Roper started his fundraising as 'Duloch Spiderman' during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Image: Contributed)

Dave took up the Spiderman mantle during the Covid-19 pandemic to spread a little lockdown joy and raise money for Calaiswood School - and he hasn't stopped since!

READ MORE: Nominations open for our Community Champions Awards 2024

Over the years, Duloch Spiderman has organised countless fundraisers for causes that are close to his heart, all while spreading some superhero magic around the city. 

In August of 2021, The Press reported on Dave's fundraising efforts for Edinburgh's Sick Kid's Hospital for which he raised over £13,000 for the hospital. 

Dave completed a solo challenge for this round of fundraising which saw him run four miles, every four hours over the course of 96 hours. Then, to top up the funding pot, he asked the other Superheroes of West Fife to join him on a skydive at the St Andrews Dive Centre in Glenrothes. 

Dave Roper on his fundraising skydive. (Image: Contributed)

Then in March of 2022, he ran 6km and raised over £1,000 for the Bright Kids charity who support Ukrainian families who are struggling to escape the ongoing conflict due to having children with disabilities.

In the process, he inspired his kids, Lucy and Liam, to get involved and they joined him in his efforts.

In June of 2022, the Press reported on his efforts to raise money for Calaiswood School to purchase a new Innowalk Pro System, an innovative mobility machine that mimics walking and helps to build muscle tone in those who use it. 

Dave managed to raise a staggering £57,000 for the school, who at the time said that they would have been unable to purchase the machine without the help of their friendly neighbourhood Spiderman. 

He continued: "I think the local support has been amazing, and winning last year's award has inspired me further.

"I’ve got plans in the diary for this year and I am excited to keep raising money for Calaiswood School, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital and other causes."

Dave Roper took part in a fundraising expedition to Everest base camp with his dad Kevin. (Image: Contributed)

Last year, Duloch Spiderman took on his biggest challenge yet and scaled an altitude of 17,600ft or 5,389m to reach the Everest Basecamp with his dad. 

Along the way he trekked through Namche Bazzar, Tengboche, Dingboche and Lobuche before heading back down through Gorakshep, Kalapathar, Pherichie, Namche and back to Lukla meeting locals and taking in the breathtaking views. 

For his efforts, Dave and his dad, Kevin raised £7,365 for the Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity.

"I still can’t believe that my dad and I did it," he said, "It is by far the best event or challenge I’ve ever done. I look through the photos regularly.

"It was such an incredible experience, and an incredible part of the world to have the opportunity to visit."

Dave has worked tirelessly to continue to give back to his community, and what started as a lockdown past time has grown into a massive fundraising operation. 

"I feel that we all have an obligation to help others where we can and I’ve seen first-hand what some of the fundraising has been spent on," he said.

"Knowing I can make even a small difference in someone’s life is all the motivation I need.

"I also love knowing that people in the community are winning some amazing prizes through my competitions, not strangers, but people I bump into on a daily basis."

Dave Roper on his Everest expedition. (Image: Contributed)

But his hard work hasn't stopped, and this year he has plans to abseil off the Falkirk wheel next month before taking on his 'Proclaimers Challenge' in the summer when he will walk 500 miles for Calaiswood School. 

Dave continued: "I’m abseiling in costume off of the Falkirk Wheel in March, fundraising for Alzheimer’s Scotland, and will be doing a Meet and Greet around Easter as Spidey.

"Later this year I am hiking 500 miles over 10 days, starting at Calaiswood School, going around the East Coast, through to Loch Ness and back down through Glasgow. It’s going to be some serious steps per day!"

After years of events and fundraising campaigns, Dave was a deserving winner of the Charity Champion Award.

The modest dad-of-two didn't expect to take away the trophy and had a great night at the event in the Glen Pavillion. This year he is excited to see the nominations for the various categories. 

He added: "I think the awards are amazing. It was such a fun night and a fantastic way to meet some very inspirational people.

"I was, and still am, very grateful to whoever nominated me in the first place, and I'm excited for those who are nominated this year!"

We're looking for nominations for the Dunfermline Press / Central Fife Times Community Champion Awards 2024. You can make your nominations at www.dunfermlinepress.com/community-champions.