You’ll know about the Munros but what about the Archies? Caroline Lindsay finds out more about The Archie Foundation’s Mountain Challenge.
The Archie Mountain Challenge, the brainchild of Ninewells consultant paediatric anaesthetist Dr Paul Fettes, is a record-breaking attempt to climb every Scottish mountain above one kilometre all 130 of them in the form of a human power relay.
About 50 outdoor enthusiasts will walk and run over the mountains and cycle and, in one instance, kayak between them.
As each peak is conquered, the team will (unofficially) name the mountains ‘Archies’.
Although all modern maps are metric, there is no classification of mountains in Scotland based on a metric measurement so the Archie team decided to put that right while raising awareness of the charity’s aim of building a new children’s theatre suite at Tayside Children’s Hospital.
The challenge will start this Saturday, May 30, at sea level with a toe dip in Dingwall.There will be three community walks taking place over the next three weekends there are still spaces available for the walks up Lochnagar on June 6 and Schiehallion on June 13. Register at www.archiesmountainchallenge.org.ukIt will finish between two and three weeks later at the Rest and Be Thankful (where better to finish) with another toe dip in Arrochar.
The team will carry a relay baton in the form of a cuddly toy Archie’s rabbit with a GPS locator on its back so you can follow the progress of the baton live on www.archiesmountainchallenge.org.uk and www.thecourier.co.uk.
The challenge is not just about climbing lots of mountains it is about making a big difference for local sick children too and that’s where you come in by digging deep.
As well as following daily updates on the intrepid relay team’s progress in The Courier, you can donate onlineor download and return this form.
Every penny raised will go towards helping sick children across Courier Country.
The Archie Foundation wants every child from Tayside to have the best possible facilities when they need an operation one of the most daunting experiences a child can have and give children and families the space they need.
The charity is aiming to raise £2 million and stresses every penny raised in Tayside stays in Tayside.
Archie Foundation chief executive David Cunningham, said: “This is an incredible challenge which has taken the team a year to organise and train for.”
Readers can sponsor Archie’s rabbit to climb all the mountains, they could simply make a donation or they can guess when the event will finish the one thing nobody yet knows.
“We are all hugely grateful to Paul and his team, to The Courier for supporting it and to all the Courier readers who we hope will join in the fun and help us to raise a lot of money for the new children’s operating suite,” he said.
* Look out for our Archie Mountain Challenge four-page special with a pull-out-and-keep map so you can follow the route in The Courier this Friday.