Torchlight Challenge brings funding boost
The Goatfell Torchlight Challenge has raised £4,495.13 for the Arran Rangers Service Team and the Arran Mountain Rescue Team.
The funds, which were raised by sponsorship of the 50 climbers who created a night-time beacon at the summit of the mountain, replicated on Ben Lomond, is shared between the two organisations.
The AMRT received £1,798.05 towards training, equipment and running costs, while the remainder of the funds will go towards repairs on the main Goatfell path.
Improving
This summer a team will be working on improving the route through the boulder field on the shoulder of Goatfell and these funds will go some way to assist these costs.
Upland mountain footpath repairs require skilled workers who can endure long walks in and hard physical work – often in poor weather conditions. As part of the National Trust for Scotland’s ethos of ensuring that the mountain paths fit in with the landscape, the work undertaken will utilise locallywon stone and landscaping techniques sensitive to the fragile mountain flora.
Kate Sampson of the Arran Rangers said: ‘A very big thank you to all participants who took part in the 2017 challenge and helped to raise this much appreciated and fantastic sum of money for these worthwhile causes.
‘The challenge will be happening again this year on Saturday September 15, and is guaranteed to be a night to remember. Get your torch batteries charging!’