Tag: charity challenge

Record breaking Munro challenge opens for entries

RHASS Mighty Munro Muster will see all 282 Munros conquered within the same 24-hour window

Scotland’s leading agricultural charity, RHASS (Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland), seeks avid adventurers to participate in an ambitious, and worthy fundraising feat.  

Taking place on 21 September 2024, the challenge will involve a group of no less than 600 individuals split into teams of two or more, collectively ascending all 282 Munros within the same 24-hour window. 

To succeed, each team is required to reach the summit of their selected Munro and return safely back down before the 24 hours is up, all while raising money for RHASS-funded projects aimed at those living and working in rural Scotland, safeguarding the rights of landowners, and preserving access to Scotland’s breath-taking landscapes.  

The challenge is part of the society’s 240th anniversary year. Other activities include a year-long audio and visual storytelling project, 240 Years of Stories, to contribute towards the legacy of Scotland’s agricultural and rural community, and a series of Harvest Thanksgiving services will also take place.  

RHASS will work with a range of partners to support participants in the run-up to the event, providing safety advice, training programmes, and guidance to ensure everyone is well equipped to take on the challenge. 

Various resources will also be provided to support participants in their efforts to raise funds for the challenge. 

In order to make sure all Munro’s are covered, applicants will be entered into a ballot, choosing their desired area and level of difficulty on entry. They will be assigned either their first or second choice of location and a Munro suitable to their abilities. People of all skill levels are encouraged to take part in what will be an exhilarating team challenge. 

Alisdair Caulfield, RHASS Director of Advancement, said: “The collective effort involved in this challenge will not only be a testament to community spirit, but it will also be a wonderful celebration of Scotland’s rich rural heritage. 

“We are aiming to sign up at least six hundred participants to ensure that no one faces the ascent alone, the logistics in that alone will be no easy feat.  Additionally, we have also set ourselves an ambitious fundraising target, which will help RHASS and our partnering beneficiaries drive positive change and leave a lasting impact on rural communities.” 

Munro-bagger Hollie Jenkins and her two spaniels Hugo and Spencer (@theedinburghspaniels) stepped up to support the drive for sign-ups, encouraging fellow dedicated hikers to take part in the daring challenge.

Hollie met with members of the RHASS team to share her passion for hiking in the Scottish Mountains and discuss the importance of preserving Scotland’s rural heritage.

Speaking on the challenge, Hollie said: “As an avid Munro bagger, I am honoured to be part of this remarkable challenge and encourage everyone to take part in the amazing opportunity to celebrate the natural beauty of our country’s landscape.” 

Land & Property Partner at Turcan Connell, Grierson Dunlop, said: “As sponsors of RHASS 2024, we are delighted to be part of the society’s assortment of activities and look forward to supporting this ambitious challenge and creative fundraising initiative.

“The Mighty Munro Muster Is a fantastic opportunity for individuals to help our rural communities prosper, stay active and take in the immense views from our impressive Scottish mountains.”

Those who think they can muster up the courage to take part can now sign up online at: https://rhass.org.uk/  

Participants will receive a branded event t-shirt to wear during the climb and to capture that all-important selfie at the top.

Charity runners complete Race to Dufftown challenge

Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador Mark Thomson and his Race to Dufftown team have raised funds well over the original target Just Giving; a total of £3135 for Protect Our Winters, with every donation matched by William Grant & Sons and Le Deli Robuchon London.

The runners followed a poignant trail through Scotland which was inspired by a journey taken by William Grant in 1885, as he searched for inspiration and opportunity before building Glenfiddich, in an expedition that took him from Dufftown to Balmoral.

Hoping the run inspires others to join next year, Mark documented the journey on his Instagram @singlemaltmark.

Interested individuals can follow @williamgrantuk for updates.

Setting out on 31 July, Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador to Scotland, Mark Thomson, led a group of 11 hospitality industry names on a 90k+ journey through Scotland. The poignant trail is inspired by a journey taken by William Grant in 1885, as he searched Scotland for inspiration and opportunity before building Glenfiddich, in an expedition that took him from Dufftown to Balmoral. 

In a bid to recreate William Grant’s epic journey, Thomson and his group of runners ran across some of Scotland’s most remote land over the course of two days. Beginning in Braemar, crossing two Munros, and finishing with a luxurious stay at the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown, the journey brought o life Glenfiddich’s inspiring brand heritage.

As part of the challenge Mark Thomson partnered with Protect Our Winters, an environmental charity dedicated to helping passionate outdoor people become effective climate advocates, protecting our world today and for future generations.  

Donations can still be made via Mark’s Just Giving page to support the runners and this worthwhile cause. A target of £2.5k was set by the brand and for every donation made William Grant & Sons will match it. 

Edinburgh man to swim a double-marathon for epilepsy charity

In the weeks leading up to Purple Day—the largest fundraising event for epilepsy-related causes—on 26 March, Edinburgh resident Michael Sturrock has set out to swim the equivalent distance from his home in Leith to the Epilepsy Scotland office in Glasgow.

The 28-year-old, who has epilepsy himself, aims to raise £2,000 for the charity. To reach his goal, he will swim just over 3km—or 122 lengths—every day for 28 days.

Speaking about his experience of epilepsy, Michael said: “I had my first seizure when I was 18. I had just arrived at a friend’s house and bent down to untie my shoes. I woke up several minutes later, unaware of who I was, where I was, who those around me were, what had happened or what was going to happen to me.

“I had just had a ‘grand mal’ seizure, which is the kind most will be familiar with – someone falling unconscious and fitting on the floor.  Aside from the danger and physical toll of the fitting period, the subsequent confusion is an experience in which you feel simultaneously trapped in your body and disconnected from reality. It is terrifying for me and those who have witnessed the seizure.

“Having epilepsy not only comes with the physical parts of the condition but impacts the mental health of those with epilepsy and their friends and family. Watching someone having a seizure is a horrifying experience. Studies show an increased prevalence of PTSD in family members and carers of those with epilepsy. Rates of depression and anxiety are higher in people living with epilepsy. Indeed, anxiety is something that has affected me significantly in the years I have lived with epilepsy.

“Over the last decade, I have been on a medical journey to control my epilepsy. After years of trying different and varying quantities of seizure-control drugs and managing their side effects, I have now been seizure-free for 18 months. It’s a huge relief both for me and my husband, who has had to witness and care for me during seizures over the years.

“I’ve chosen a swimming challenge to highlight the fact that there are lots of everyday things that many people with epilepsy can’t or choose not to do because of the risk seizures would pose. Some with uncontrolled seizures would choose not to have a bath, let alone swim in a pool.

“Whether controlled or not, epilepsy is ever-present in the daily lives of those with the condition and those around them. With support from charities like Epilepsy Scotland, however, that need not be a bad thing. The support and sense of community the charity provides not only helps mitigate the effects of epilepsy for many but enriches and becomes a central part of their lives.

“I have the privilege of being a trustee of Epilepsy Scotland and I see first-hand the incredible work they do to support people with epilepsy and their loved ones. It is a truly brilliant charity and deserves every single penny it raises.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the support received. I have completed 5 swims and already raised over 60% of my £2000 goal. If I can raise that number this week, I’ll up my target amount by £1000 – or maybe more. Any donations are very welcome.”

Commenting on his progress, Michael said: “I’m not a bad swimmer so have been largely okay in the pool so far, though my arms were pretty tired on the third day and my pace dropped a fair bit.

“But coping with the monotony is almost the bigger challenge – I started craving chilli heatwave Doritos halfway through yesterday’s swim and couldn’t think of much else for the remaining time – I’ll have to make sure I’m better fed for my next swim!”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/page/michael-sturrock-purple-swim. 

St James Quarter supports local charities with daring challenge

St James Quarter is calling all daredevils to kick off their shoes and test their nerves by signing up for an adventurous charity walk over broken glass in aid of two local charities on Sunday 12th June.

Taking place on Register Square outside the Galleria, brave participants will have the chance to break out of their comfort zone and support the vital services carried out by Deaf Action and Cash for Kids with all proceeds going towards the vital work they do.

St James Quarter is encouraging friends and families to come along and support on the day with St James Quarter colleagues also rising to the challenge to take part in the seven-foot-long glass walk, with some even giving their feet a makeover for the occasion.

Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “It’s an honour to be working with two amazing charities that do so much to help others. I’m ready to roll up my trousers, get my toenails painted pink and brave the glass walk in the name of a good cause.

“The whole St James Quarter team is excited to be getting behind this daredevil challenge and we hope to raise as much money as possible for Deaf Action and Cash for Kids. We’re encouraging everyone who can to sign up and join us for what is set to be an experience to remember.”

For more information and to register go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/st-james-quarter-glass-walk-tickets-304715591537

Registration costs £22.50 and there’s a minimum sponsorship required of £150. Participants will also attend a 90-minute workshop with Firewalk Scotland prior to the glass-walk.

World’s Longest Golf Hole: David’s life-saving challenge is heading for Edinburgh

A man undertaking a mammoth ten-week charity challenge will be arriving at Edinburgh Castle on Saturday 26th June – he is expected to arrive around 3pm. 

Former armed forces skiing and mountain craft trainer, David Sullivan, 58, from Surrey, began The World’s Longest Golf Hole challenge on 11th June. Starting at John O’Groats, he will be walking over 1,000 miles and making an estimated quarter of a million golf shots, before he reaches his final destination, Land’s End.

David is taking on this unusual challenge to raise vital funds for the British Heart Foundation. The money raised will help place life-saving defibrillators into villages, towns and cities up and down the country.

At every one of David’s stops on his journey, he will be training local people for free on how to save lives using CPR.

David’s passion for teaching people CPR came about when he was faced with a life-or-death situation. When a young man experienced a cardiac arrest in front of him, David luckily knew what to do. He gave CPR for 17 minutes until the man could be treated with a defibrillator.

“It was thanks to my training, and a defibrillator being nearby, that I was able to help save the man, who luckily made a full recovery,” says David.

“When something like that happens right in front of you, it makes you realise how precious life is and how important it is to know what to do in that kind of emergency. It was an experience which profoundly affected me, and now it’s my mission to create an army of life savers all over the country.”

David, who will be joined on the challenge by his son Freddie, 21, hopes his charity challenge will help teach as many people as possible the life-saving skill of CPR and will ensure that many more locations in the country are equipped with defibrillators. David’s fundraising target for the event is £60,000.

American Golf are kindly sponsoring David on this adventure. Gary Favell, CEO of American Golf said: “When we heard about the incredible challenge David had set himself, we immediately wanted to lend American Golf’s support.  

“David has found a way to harness his golfing prowess not only to highlight the importance of knowing CPR through his own personal experience, but to train people along his journey whilst raising funds for the British Heart Foundation – he is a true inspiration.

“American Golf champions inclusivity at every level, and we stand behind every player on their golfing journey – David’s is no exception, and we wish him every success on his mission.”

Donations can be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-sullivan-77.

Companies wishing to get involved in helping to fund a defibrillator in their region should visit www.creatinglifesavers.com.

Sign up to Cash for Kids

Cash for Kids Day is nearly here!

Donate or sign up to be part of Cash for Kids Day on Friday 14th May and 100% will help us give children in our community a brighter future.

We’ll be making a difference to children from birth to 18 who are unwell, living with a disability, in poverty or those who simply need a little extra support.

Get involved at work, school or as yourself in any way you like. Dance, dress wacky or sing, the possibilities are endless! Start fundraising today and we’ll give you an online fundraising page and a free fundraising pack full of ideas and useful materials.

We’re also running our 5K a Day fitness challenge! See how the Boogie in the Morning team are getting on and find a friend to sponsor here.

Visit the website to find out more about who we’re helping, donate and sign up.

Gobi and Dion go forth to support charity challenge event

The Scottish SPCA is delighted to welcome Gobi and Dion to their Forth Road Bridge 5k Challenge this Saturday (9 June). Scotland’s animal welfare charity are hosting the event for the first time and 200 animal lovers from across Scotland have signed up to take part.  Continue reading Gobi and Dion go forth to support charity challenge event