Hardy participants in Scotland’s most gruelling charity challenge have been congratulated for raising £400,000 over the weekend to help servicemen and women.
More than 150 teams, which included 217 serving soldiers and veterans, set off on the Alliance Trust Cateran Yomp from Blairgowrie on Saturday, intent on walking 22, 36.5 or even an energy- sapping 54 miles in 24 hours along the Cateran Trail.
Alliance Trust chief executive Katherine Garrett-Cox said: “The fundraising efforts from each of the 600 participants in this year’s Alliance Trust Cateran Yomp have been outstanding.
“This weekend we saw determination, high performance, laughter, tears and teamwork from everyone committed to completing the yomp outdoors challenge and raising money for charity.
“The Cateran Yomp is now the biggest fundraising event in Scotland for ABF the Soldiers’ Charity and continues to provide vital support for local Tayside charities through the Alliance Trust Foundation.”
Yomping home in first place in a time of 10 hours and 43 minutes were army reserves from 1ISR Brigade, the army’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance specialists.
While soldiers took the yomp in their stride, the many civilians taking part also rose to the occasion.
There with encouragement and expert advice was Cateran ambassador Polly Murray, the first Scottish woman to climb Everest and former presenter of the children’s TV show Serious.
“The route is literally on my doorstep and takes in an area which was my childhood playground,” she said.
“As a passionate advocate of the social and fitness benefits of getting people out into the great outdoors, and as someone who considers Perthshire to be unmatched when it comes to quality of life and breathtaking scenery, the yomp is an event I support wholeheartedly and look forward to again next year.”
This annual event, which celebrated its fifth anniversary, has raised a total of £1.5 million for ABF the Soldiers’ Charity and the Alliance Trust Staff Foundation, which directs funding to community groups, local charities and voluntary organisations, nominated and voted for by Alliance Trust staff.
Major General Martin Rutledge, chief executive of ABF the Soldiers’ Charity, said: “I would like to thank everyone involved in this unique weekend for offering their time, money and spirit to the Alliance Trust Cateran Yomp.
“This support and funds raised will make a real difference to the lives of service people and their families in Scotland and across the UK.
“The need is not diminishing as our service personnel have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, with many needing our help more than ever.”