Monster canoe challenge for the Simpsons
A mum and daughter from Dunbeg have helped raise more than £3,000 for charity by taking on a canoe challenge down the Great Glen.
Susan and Charis Simpson have canoed with a team of other fundraisers from Fort William to Fort Augustus in aid of Anam Cara Fasgadh, a charity that gifts a caravan stay to bereaved families.
The epic 95km adventure over four days in challenging weather took in Loch Ness, involved canoeing 22 miles of canal, crossing four lochs and three nights camping out in the wild.
Team members were accompanied by guide Stewart Harris from In Your Element - Scotland, an adventure business that has just opened a new base at Nevis Range, Fort William.
Susan is a co-founder of Anam Cara Fasgadh that opened its first respite caravan at Tralee Bay Holiday Park to help families grieving the loss of a child.
The canoe journey was in memory of Charis’s sisters Alex and Eilidh Beth. Susan had a miscarriage in 2007, three years before Eilidh Beth was stillborn at 34 weeks. Susan and husband Andrew have another daughter, Niamh.
Susan said: ‘As tough as it’s been, as sore and worn out as we are, this does not compare to the death of a baby, child or young person.
‘We are doing this in memory of Charis’s sisters. We are doing this so that Anam Cara Fasgadh can bring support, care, understanding and respite to bereaved families.’
Charis, 17, added: ‘This is my second challenge for Anam Cara Fasgadh, and I love that I can make a difference to families who have been through what we have. My favourite memories of this challenge are spotting a friendly weasel at Kytra Locks as we moved the canoe past the locks, and the amazing calmness of one of our canal days. I like to think of my sisters cheering us on as we struggled, and laughing at us when we complained about being constantly wet and cold!’
Also in the team were Oban High School teachers Sue Gilvray and Tania Robertson as well as Rachel Aitken, a P7 teacher from Fife, and teacher Susan Andrew from Thurso.
Susan extended thanks to Oban High School and Sea Kayak Oban for the loan of equipment which helped make the fundraising mission possible.
You can help give support here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/girlstakeonthegreatglen.
The charity also has a quiz night planned for Saturday May 7 at The Rockfield Centre in the Oak Room from 7pm to 9.30pm with a raffle and bar. Tickets, £3.