Great Wilderness Challenge in £162,000 windfall for 19 Highland causes
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WILDERNESS fans who pitted themselves against nature in one of the Highlands’ most remote spots have helped to raise more than £162,000 for charity.
The Great Wilderness Challenge has presented cheques to 19 of the region’s deserving causes after the cash was raised through sponsorship at the 31st annual race.
The event, which began in the 1980s, attracts hundreds of competitors each year, all eager to pit themselves against challenging routes through the wild moorland south of Poolewe – dubbed by many as the Great Wilderness.
And the Highland Hospice was the big charity winner, receiving £73,000 to help towards its care.
But there were also sizeable cash pots for Clic Sargent (£9000), Boleskine Community Care (£3500), Samaritans Inverness (£1250) and the Headway Highland (£1000) among others.
Chairman of the organisation, Eric Thomson, said: “It is always encouraging to see the distribution of funds to those people and charities which the Great Wilderness Challenge seeks to assist.
“It is, essentially, the end result and the moment we all work towards.
“The presentation was the first time we gathered together some of the agencies who represent the charities we support and such a gathering can only serve to further motivate us all to continue with the good work.
“As always, the needs that we seek to address continue to grow and to help us meet those challenges we urge anyone who would care to take part in a great and rewarding event to contact us through the Great Wilderness Challenge website. I promise you will not regret it.”
Ever since the first Great Wilderness Challenge was held, the Highland Hospice has had a special relationship with the event.
Andrew Leaver from the Highland Hospice has praised the challenge’s long-term support: “The tremendous support of the Poolewe community, the magnificent scenery and the endless goodwill and cheer – whatever the weather – amongst participants makes for a truly special day every August.
“Over the years the income has grown and grown and has supported many projects at the Hospice including our first inpatient unit and our recent modernisation project.
“Over the past few years the contribution from the challenge has been enough to pay for two full time Hospice nurses each year. We are hugely grateful.”
Clic Sargent added: “Since it began the Great Wilderness Challenge has raised a staggering £232,000 for Clic Sargent. Thanks to the support of events like this we can move closer to achieving our vision that everyone under 25 with cancer, and their families, will get the support and help they need.”
The challenge features a range of courses – the original 25 mile route as well as shorter 13 and seven mile options. Last year organisers also introduced two ‘Limited Mobility’ routes.
Originally envisaged as a one-off event back in 1986, the challenge has grown and grown and more than 500 people now take part every year.
To date it has raised in excess of £3.6 million for good causes.
Entries are now open for this year’s event at www.greatwildernesschallenge.info
