Soldiers set for fitness battle
Soldiers from the Black Watch are attempting an extreme challenge, never undertaken before as a thank you for the support received from Inverness while on operations in war-torn Afghanistan.
The group, based at Fort George, will undertake a series of gruelling British Army fitness tests to raise money to help sick children at Raigmore Hospital.
The eight tests are usually undertaken over a year but the soldiers will attempt them in just 24 hours.
It will involve running a total of 58 miles, carrying progressively heavier weights and also include press-ups and sit-ups. Warrant Officer Graham Parker is leading the eight-strong group. "The challenge will be physically and mentally demanding," he said. "These tests are usually undertaken over a year due to the their extreme physical nature and the stress they will put our bodies under.
"I have spoken to the people at the Army PT Corps and they have never heard of anyone doing the tests in such a short time before."
They will attempt the tests on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The money raised will go to the £2 million Highland Children’s Unit Appeal, launched by the ARCHIE Foundation in conjunction with The Inverness Courier, to create a more child-focused and family-friendly department.
The Black Watch soldiers inaugurated a Christmas tradition of supporting Inverness good causes two years ago when they completed a half marathon on Christmas day in a dusty Afghanistan camp to raise money for the Highland Hospice.
"We wanted to do something to say thank you for the great support from Inverness," Mr Parker explained.
"It was good to know that people we had not even met were thinking of us — to get a parcel from someone in Beauly or some random place was just a great feeling.
"One of the things I remember when we came back was marching through Inverness. The support was phenomenal. The streets were packed. It was something quite special. People were walking up and saying ‘well done’.
"It is nice to have the chance to give something back. As long as we are staying here it is something I would definitely like to do every Christmas."
This year the soldiers have opted to give the money raised to the ARCHIE Foundation. "Everyone has kids or knows of someone with kids," said Mr Parker.
The others taking part in the challenge are Scott Shaw, John-Paul Barrie, James Copeland, Michael McLaughlin, Allan Campbell, David Hamilton and Zachary Smyth.
The children’s unit appeal, launched in 2011, had an original target of £1 million. The plan was to redesign the existing ward.
But thanks to massive public support the amount was raised just over a year ago — six months earlier than expected — prompting a follow-up appeal to raise a further £1 million.
The additional money will allow the children’s ward to move to a new location at the edge of the hospital and to combine with other children’s services in a self-contained unit with its own entrance and reception area.
* Anyone wanting to sponsor the soldiers can do so at www.justgiving.com
3SCOTSBW. Donations can also be sent by text to OFTS59£5 TO 70070.
