The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Teams tackle summit challenge
Veterans’ charity boosted by walkers after concert by military wives
A group of veterans and volunteers pushed themselves to the limit in a daring mountain-top challenge in Royal Deeside to raise thousands of pounds for wounded forces personnel.
The Balmoral Challenge, organised by military charity Walking With The Wounded, was held to coincide with Armed Forces Day on Saturday.
The event paired more than 100 fundraisers with injured veterans, who received physical help on the day and also financial assistance prior to the challenge.
The walkers set off after being treated to a concert from the military wives choir from Moray’s Kinloss Army Barracks.
Among a selection of stirring forces staples was the aptly chosen Keep Right on ‘Till the End of the Road, which inspired troops during World War II.
This year, contestants were faced with a new test, the 20-mile Triple Crown challenge, which involved scaling three Munros, including the near-4,000ft Lochnagar.
The winning team were from the army’s 2 Close Support Battalion, part of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers based at Leuchars in Fife.
They battled through gales on their way to the finishing line.
Alternatively, other teams took on the Prince’s Stone route where competitors had to hit as many checkpoints as possible inside nine hours.
A team from another forces charity, the RFEA, came first in this competition.
Meanwhile, a shorter 10mile Cairn Chaser route was won by the Vann family from Falkirk.
Duncan Slater, from Muir of Ord, near Inverness, lost both his legs serving in Afghanistan when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb.
He took part on the cairn route with a couple from Canada, Ruth and Bruce Stanner, who were staying at Balmoral and decided to get involved.
Mr Slater said: “The event had a huge impact on people – a mix of the location and the effect that their efforts were going to have on the beneficiaries they met.
“It was a great way for people to show their support for veterans and have a really memorable experience at the same time.
“Although abilities and fitness levels are different, the level of challenge was the same. Everyone was pushed to give their all and came together as a team.”
WWTW was set up in 2010 by former army officers Ed Parker and Simon Dalglish after Mr Parker’s 26-year-old nephew lost both legs in a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2009.
The organisation helps veterans secure long-term careers after the forces and also provides support to those who find themselves homeless or in the courts.
Donations to the charity can be made through its website at www. wwtw.org.uk or by posting a cheque addressed to Walking With The Wounded to The Press and Journal, PO Box 43, Lang Stracht, Mastrick, Aberdeen, AB15 6DF.
“It was a great way for people to show their support for veterans”