The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
RNLI volunteer to climb nine Munros in one day for life-saving kit funds
Amember of the Kyle of Lochalsh lifeboat station is taking on a gruelling challenge to raise funds for life-saving equipment.
Daniel Elliot, who volunteers alongside 16 other crewmen, is attempting to climb the nine Munros in the Kintail area.
He will run 25 miles across the Munros, climbing to a cumulative altitude of more than 4,000 metres.
If that wasn’t enough, he will then ride his bike back to the Kyle lifeboat station – more than 15 miles away.
Mr Elliot has previously attempted similar challenges, but this is by far the biggest, and it is all for an important cause.
The majority of lifeboat crews across Scotland are volunteers and give their time for free.
However, the equipment they use when attending an incident can be costly – with every new volunteer needing at least £3,100 worth of kit.
Kyle of Lochalsh lifeboat station operates with 17 crew, and they hope to bring on at least six new volunteers over the coming months.
Mr Elliot’s target of £6,200 will make it possible for the station to equip and train two new crew.
It is particularly important as stations experience a rise in callouts during the summer months.
The Kyle lifeboat team has responded to three callouts in the last week alone.
Mr Elliot said: “During the last few years, not just us as a station but most of the stations around the UK have been struggling to fundraise because of the pandemic.
“I thought it would be a good way to give back as it does cost a lot of money to train us and for all our kit. I really enjoy being part of the crew at Kyle of Lochalsh and wanted to help in some way.
“I am also really into running, so I thought it would be a good challenge to push me forward in terms of fitness as well.”
He will attempt the challenge on July 9, setting off at around 6am with a target time of 10 hours for completing the challenge.
While climbing up the Munros will be more difficult, coming down could pose an issue as Mr Elliot will have to make sure his legs are not too fatigued to ride his bike.
He said: “It will be the most elevation I have ever done in one run, and it will be the most Munros I’ve done in one day, so boundaries are going to be pushed and it will be a real challenge.”
Over the last two years, lockdown has prevented several fundraising events from going ahead.
Mr Elliot said: “The team are ecstatic, but at the same time they all think I am mad.”
Mr Elliot put up his fundraising page on Thursday and so far has raised just under £500 for his lifeboat station through Just Giving.