Water effort for firefighters
A Balfron firefighter has completed a gruelling challenge along Scotland’s three longest lochs.
Gavin Callander (32) and his 34-year old colleague Scott Butler are both firefighters based in Berkshire and have decided to support the Fire Fighters Charity by kayaking the length of Loch Lomond, Loch Awe in Argyll and Bute and Loch Ness – and cycle between them on a tandem bicycle.
They also towed another kayak with the bike in it along the way.
The duo were scheduled to start their journey at the southern tip of Loch Lomond on Saturday. However, gale force winds forced them in to a re-think.
Speaking to the Observer from the middle of Loch Ness, Gavin said: “It’s been spot on although we did have a massive dilemma on Saturday. The weather was horrible, we had gale force winds and we just wouldn’t have gotten anywhere.
“So we drove up to Loch Awe where the weather was much better and we kayaked the length of Loch Awe first then after that we cycled back down to Loch Lomond and did that.
“It’s been hard at times the weather at Loch Lomond was horrendous, but it’s been absolutely brilliant.”
The pair had originally planned to row the length of Loch Lomond then cycle the 49 miles to Loch Awe to kayak the length of it. Following that they make the 120- mile journey to Loch Ness.
But those plans were quickly changed.
Gavin opted to name the tandem bike they chose to travel in after his late grandmother, Jeanie, who recently passed away.
Former Balfron High pupil Gavin – who has been living in Surrey since the age of 18 and has been a firefighter for the last six years - opted to raise the cash for the Fire Fighter Charity in the wake of the deadly Grenfell Tower blaze in London earlier this month.
Gavin added: “Firefighters are always rough and tough. They don’t want to talk about things, but I’ve heard about Grenfell Towers and things can really play on your mind.
“We weren’t sure about doing it for charity, but after the Grenfell Tower fire we decided we would do it for The Fire Fighters Charity.”
Firefighters who tackled the blaze in the London tower block have been reported to be receiving trauma counselling.
Gavin and Scott had initially set out to try and raise £1,000, but they had already broken that barrier before a paddle had touched the water. They then doubled the target to £2,000.
The intrepid duo paused during their challenge to speak to the Observer, telling us they had already raised a total of £2346.
Gavin said: “Hopefully by the end of the day we raise over £2500.”
To donate to Gavin and Scott’s cause visit : http://bit.ly/2sE06Bc.