Students poles apart but united in effort to reach the Antarctic

CHARITY: Walkers, runners and cyclists link up to fundraise for Age Scotland

A group of Dundee medical students are travelling the equivalent distance from the city to the South Pole to raise money to help older people.

The group of Dundee University students has been inspired in the feat by the city’s connection with penguins, which live on the Antarctic coast.

More than 200 have signed up collectively to walk, run and cycle 6,292km (3,909 miles), the distance from Dundee to the South Pole, to raise thousands for Age Scotland.

Leader Freya Anderson said her colleagues wanted to find a way to bring together students in isolation while raising money for an important cause.

She said: “Last week a few of us found ourselves feeling a little lost in self-study at home, and so we got our heads together to think of something fun that would give students a sense of togetherness.

“We thought a fundraiser would

“We have already covered 2,751km so it would be fantastic if people could join us to reach the finish line. FREYA ANDERSON

be a fun challenge, and also give us a reason to keep active during lockdown.

“Working with Age Scotland has been great as their values align with our ethos of encouraging support by a sense of togetherness, as so many students are not currently in Dundee.

“We have already covered 2,751km so it would be fantastic if people could join us to help reach the finish line.”

Age Scotland is a national charity that works with local communities to offer support and help to people over 50 to combat isolation and loneliness.

The charity’s chief executive, Brian Sloan, said: “We’re so grateful to the Dundee Medical School Societies for the tremendous effort in their South Pole challenge.

“We at Age Scotland have been really enjoying following the team’s journey.

“This is an amazing way to keep up community spirit during lockdown, which we know is proving extremely challenging for tens of thousands of older people in Scotland who are feeling anxious, isolated and lonely.

“Our free helpline has seen an unprecedented surge in calls from people looking for advice and information, or just a friendly chat.

“The vital funds raised through this challenge will help make sure we can be there for every older person who needs us.”

Putting in the legwork, clockwise from top, are Freya Anderson, Ainslie Taylor and Madeline Reece.