THE RBS Caledonian Challenge is set to mobilise hundreds of charity volunteers who will help co-ordinate the event and in the process raise thousands of pounds for charitable causes.
Volunteers will offer their support to aid the fundraising teams attempting to complete this year’s challenge – a gruelling 54-mile trek over Scotland’s stunning West Highland Way in just 24 hours.
In exchange for volunteering as trail markers, registering entrants and helping boost morale, charities who offer volunteers will receive a portion of the money raised during the challenge to put towards their cause.
The Scottish Community Foundation has organised the Challenge since 1996 have recruited 250 volunteers this year and have been urging local charities and community groups to take part and donate their time in exchange for funds.
Giles Ruck, chief executive of the Scottish Community Foundation, said: “The RBS Caledonian Challenge wouldn’t be one of the biggest charity events of the year if it wasn’t for the dedication of the volunteers.
“There are several charities who regularly volunteer large numbers of their members to help out with the running of the event. By giving us their time and enthusiasm volunteers make the event what it is, and in the process they are given large amounts of the funding raised for causes close to their hearts.
“This year, we have over 40 groups involved, yet we are encouraging other groups who are new to the Challenge to get involved and donate their time. It’s a great way of raising money for your charity, as well as an excellent opportunity to take in the great Scottish outdoors.
“It’s great that everyone involved in the event, participants, organisers and volunteers, are all invested in the philosophy of the occasion and able to socialise with members of other charities.”
The Spean Bridge Senior Citizens Association – a charity which provides vital services for OAP’s- has been heavily involved in the event in recent years and is set to lend its man power for the fourth time this year.
Based in the Highlands near Fort William, it provides vital services for OAP’s such as Christmas meals during the festive period and puts in place measures to help reduce the risk of fuel poverty.
Thanks to the large grant the charity receives each year from the Caledonian Challenge the Spean Bridge Senior Citizens Association do not require local funding which frees up funding for other worthy causes in the local area.
Other groups which are set to benefit include the Friend of Nevis, a community based charity which aims to preserve the natural landscape of Ben Nevis and will exchange 15 volunteers for a donation which will help support outdoor activities on and around Ben Nevis.
This is the fourth year the charity has lent its support and sees the money raised from the RBS Caledonian Challenge as a vital source of funds, to help preserve and protect the landscape through which the participants walk through each year.
Founded in 1996, the Caledonian Challenge has attracted more than 14,000 participants who have raised over £11 million for The Scottish Community Foundation who then disperse grants to help achieve lasting impacting across Scotland’s communities.
Charities and community groups who are interested in volunteering for the 2013 event, can contact volunteer@caledonianchallenge.com for more information
More information about the event and how to support participating teams can be found at: www.caledonianchallenge.com
Issued on behalf of the Caledonian Challenge by www.holyroodpr.co.uk for more information, contact 0131 561 2244 or info@holyroodpr.co.uk
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