Summer challengers raise over £6000 for Outfit Moray charity
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MORAY runners, walkers, cyclists and rowers mobilised during July to boost a local charity's coffers by more than £6000.
Some 35 teams and individuals stepped up for Lossiemouth-based Outfit Moray's Summer Challenge throughout July to help the small charity weather the storm of the Covid-19 blow to its usual fundraising efforts.
The children's outdoor learning and adventure charity asked challengers to cover the distance of a Scottish tourist trail – either the North Coast 500 (516 miles), North East 250 (250 miles) or the Moray Way (96 miles) – by bike, canoe or kayak, or on foot.
Families, individuals and teams from Moray Council, Windswept Brewing and the Northern Scot were among those who signed up, taking on the equivalent distance of 8,424 miles between them.
In the end the total was closer to 9,000 miles as some challengers pushed on after smashing their targets half-way through the month.
Karen Cox, community and corporate fundraiser for Outfit Moray, said the challenge had attracted people of varying abilities, ranging in age from six to 60, adding: "It really has been a diverse group and we have been blown away by everyone's commitment.
"We also had four staff members taking part – myself, outdoor instructor Andy Woolnough, trainee outdoor instructor Archie Morley and Get Pedalling project leader Anna Vince. All did the NC500 challenge, while I did the Moray Way on my e-bike. I have disabilities and only got my bike in April."
Andy donned a Bananaman costume for laps around Elgin's Cooper Park to finish off his NC500 challenge.
Karen said the fundraiser was such a success that the charity hopes to run it again next year. She added: "The challenge raised vital unrestricted funds that will be used to help maintain the charity, so we can continue to deliver outdoor learning and adventure activities for young people in Moray, particularly those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.
"Our only other major fundraiser this year will be our 100km hike-and-bike Cairngorm to Coast challenge on October 3, which we are still hoping will go ahead.
"We are hugely grateful to everyone's commitment and dedication and we can't wait to see what the final total will be."
While its usual programme of outdoor activities was suspended during lockdown, Outfit Moray delivered cycling sessions to the children of key workers in local school hubs in Aberlour, Lossiemouth, Elgin, Kinloss, Keith, Buckie, Lhanbryde and Duffus.
