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‘Too wonderful to explain’ – Highland Cross co-founder reflects on last 40 years as he steps back from event





Highland Cross co-founder Gerry Grant has “retired” from the event for the second time, it was revealed at a charity event celebrating this year’s fundraising.

It was Gerry who first came up with the idea for the charity fundraiser that has been running since 1983.

Gerry Grant addresses the audience alongside his fellow co-founder Calum Munro. Pictures: John Davidson
Gerry Grant addresses the audience alongside his fellow co-founder Calum Munro. Pictures: John Davidson

Working alongside Calum Munro, who has been the organising secretary for the event for the last 20 years after being in charge of safety and logistics before that, lifelong Struy resident Gerry is proud of the event’s focus on the Highlands.

In the 40 times the event has gone ahead since, it has raised more than £6.3 million for charities that operate in the region.

Gerry described the success of the Cross – which began as the Midsummer Madathon in 1983 before changing its name to Highland Cross the following year – over the last four decades as “too wonderful to explain”.

“I was lucky to speak to Calum about my idea and from that it just prospered,” he told me at the celebration event on Thursday.

“The main thing was that we were going to benefit charities, rather than just have an event. From that it became a benefit to one charity, then multiple charities of all kinds. I personally was very keen to make it Highland-wide – that’s why it’s called the Highland Cross.

The total fundraising from the 2024 Highland Cross amounting to £368,295 is revealed to the audience.
The total fundraising from the 2024 Highland Cross amounting to £368,295 is revealed to the audience.

“Midsummer Madathon was a very attractive name but it didn’t tell you where it was, it didn’t identify the people or the charities, so we decided on the Highland Cross.”

Gerry and Calum both received MBEs for their charity work in 2016.

Gerry first retired from the Highland Cross in 2002 when he stood down as organising secretary. He then became one of the Independent Charity Selection Panel charged with identifying the best beneficiaries for the event’s fundraising.

After 22 years on the panel, Gerry has now stepped away from those duties and said he is left with plenty of memories.

In a statement, the Highland Cross organisers said: “He continues to be the embodiment of the values of Highland Cross and a source of inspiration to those who continue its work.”

Highland Cross co-founders Calum Munro and Gerry Grant - Gerry received a commemorative plate as he steps down from his formal involvement with the event.
Highland Cross co-founders Calum Munro and Gerry Grant - Gerry received a commemorative plate as he steps down from his formal involvement with the event.

On Thursday, Gerry was presented with a unique commemorative plate, recognising his contribution to the event, by Calum.

The four benefitting charities were also given their donations which will all be used to purchase specialist vehicles for their individual needs.

Representatives from Highland Disability Sport, L’Arche Highland, Cantraybridge College and Highland BlindCraft all spoke to the audience and thanked all those involved as a record fundraising total of £368,295 was revealed on the night by treasurer John Fraser.

There were also special commemorative plates donated to other long-time supporters including Anna Thomson and Ruaraidh Taylor.

All the benefitting charities from 2024 gather along with those receiving special recognition from the organisers for their contribution to the Highland Cross.
All the benefitting charities from 2024 gather along with those receiving special recognition from the organisers for their contribution to the Highland Cross.

The two men who have completed all 40 Highland Cross events

There are two men who have completed all 40 Highland Cross events – covering almost 2000 miles each crossing the Highlands on foot and by bike.

The achievement was recognised at the charity handover event on Thursday when John Talbot, of Inverinate, and former Inverness man David Rose, now of Edinburgh, received a special plate to mark the milestone.

David explained that as an ambulance service worker, he volunteered for the first event without fully appreciating what he was letting himself in for.

John Talbot (left) and David Rose have completed all 40 Highland Cross events and received commemorative plates.
John Talbot (left) and David Rose have completed all 40 Highland Cross events and received commemorative plates.

He said: “It was very tough the first year and after that we got wise as to what we needed to do, and we started training and cycling and made an effort to make ourselves a lot fitter for the next one.

“We were competitive amongst ourselves, but I had no aspirations of winning the event. But beating our work colleagues was our main objective – we had an ambulance trophy for the first ambulanceman home.

“It’s been a very special event. As so many people have said, it’s the camaraderie, the charities, the special welcome we get in Beauly when we arrive, all the helpers throughout the event who are so good to us as we’re running over the hill – and our families give us a lot of support as well.

“Little did we know when we started off that we would continue to do it for 40 years.”

He also made a point of mentioning his colleague Graham Forbes, from Bunchrew, who has only missed one of the 40 events due to fracturing a bone in his foot one year.

John said he was “pressganged” into signing up for the first event in 1983 when he worked at the naval base in Kyle.

Highland Cross treasurer John Fraser reveals the record-breaking amount raised by teams in 2024.
Highland Cross treasurer John Fraser reveals the record-breaking amount raised by teams in 2024.

Asked why he kept coming back, he said: “I don’t really know but every time the invitation came up, I signed on the dotted line and that was it, and I’m still doing it.

“It’s been very hard, I’m getting a bit older now – I used to run years ago but I walk now, but it’s still an amazing event because of the money that’s raised for the charities; it’s a very worthwhile event.

“Now, as Calum says, it’s the Highland Cross family really; anybody who’s involved in it, we’re a big group, aren’t we?”

So, will they both be back for event number 41 on June 21, 2025?

John says “maybe” while David enthusiastically said: “Yes, as long as I’m fit enough to do it I’ll be here. We always look forward to coming up – it’s special coming back because we lived in Inverness for so long.”

L’Arche Highland core member Laura Matheson, alongside Haroun Hameed, explains how the new vehicle the charity is receiving will benefit their community.
L’Arche Highland core member Laura Matheson, alongside Haroun Hameed, explains how the new vehicle the charity is receiving will benefit their community.
Lynsey Daniel of Highland BlindCraft.
Lynsey Daniel of Highland BlindCraft.
Miriam Hendry of Cantraybridge College addresses the audience alongside colleague Karen Peebles.
Miriam Hendry of Cantraybridge College addresses the audience alongside colleague Karen Peebles.
Alison Thompson of Highland Disability Sport thanks those involved for helping the charity.
Alison Thompson of Highland Disability Sport thanks those involved for helping the charity.
Inverness Fiddlers entertain the crowd on the night.
Inverness Fiddlers entertain the crowd on the night.
Long-time volunteer Anna Thomson of the Scouts is thanked by Calum Munro for her efforts each year.
Long-time volunteer Anna Thomson of the Scouts is thanked by Calum Munro for her efforts each year.
Ruaraidh Taylor shakes Calum Munro's hand as he is thanked for years of service to the Highland Cross.
Ruaraidh Taylor shakes Calum Munro's hand as he is thanked for years of service to the Highland Cross.
Members represent Kintail Mountain Rescue Team at the event.
Members represent Kintail Mountain Rescue Team at the event.
Gerry Grant is retiring from his role with the independent charity selection panel.
Gerry Grant is retiring from his role with the independent charity selection panel.
David Rose, who has completed all 40 events, hands over the donation to Karen Peebles and Miriam Hendry of Cantraybridge College in Croy.
David Rose, who has completed all 40 events, hands over the donation to Karen Peebles and Miriam Hendry of Cantraybridge College in Croy.
Adam Scotson, representing the Scouts, hands over the donation to Laura Matheson and Haroun Hameed from L’Arche Highland.
Adam Scotson, representing the Scouts, hands over the donation to Laura Matheson and Haroun Hameed from L’Arche Highland.
Long-time volunteer Ruaraidh Taylor makes the donation to Highland BlindCraft, represented by Lynsey Daniel and Rachel Oag.
Long-time volunteer Ruaraidh Taylor makes the donation to Highland BlindCraft, represented by Lynsey Daniel and Rachel Oag.
Michael Humphreys congratulations Alison Thompson of Highland Disability Sport on their donation.
Michael Humphreys congratulations Alison Thompson of Highland Disability Sport on their donation.
David Rose (left) and John Talbot (right) – pictured with Calum Munro and Gerry Grant – have completed all 40 Highland Cross events since 1983.
David Rose (left) and John Talbot (right) – pictured with Calum Munro and Gerry Grant – have completed all 40 Highland Cross events since 1983.
Gerry Grant (left) speaks to long-time participants David Rose and John Talbot.
Gerry Grant (left) speaks to long-time participants David Rose and John Talbot.
Calum Munro (centre) says a big thank you to long-time volunteers Ruaraidh Taylor and Anna Thomson.
Calum Munro (centre) says a big thank you to long-time volunteers Ruaraidh Taylor and Anna Thomson.

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