Hardy fundraisers boost charity Outfit Moray by £6500 in Winter Challenge

HARDY fundraisers battled January wind, rain and ice to raise more than £6500 for a Moray charity.

Some 16 teams, including families, individuals and a team from Moray Council, donned their walking boots or hopped on the saddle to boost Lossiemouth-based outdoor learning and adventure charity Outfit Moray by taking part in its Winter Challenge.

The event ran following the success of the charity's Summer Challenge in July last year as it faces an uphill battle to keep funds topped up amid the pandemic, with most of its local fundraisers cancelled for the foreseeable future.

Karen Cox, Outfit Moray community and corporate fundraiser, said: "January is often a difficult month for people, so we wanted to do something that would encourage people to get outdoors, even though it was darker and colder and they would probably rather stay inside."

Some 42 people signed up in total.

Karen added: "They were all cycling, walking or running the equivalent distance of the Moray Way, NE250 or NC500 over the month and they all smashed their targets, covering an incredible 4,772 miles between them, which is very impressive, especially when you consider how cold and icy it was in January.

"We kept in touch with weekly emails and it was so exciting finding out how people were getting on with their challenge, especially hearing how much they were enjoying it, and we had some wonderful feedback when they had all finished.

"We are blown away and extremely grateful to everyone for their incredible fundraising efforts, particularly Tracy Chalmers, from Keith, who ran regular raffles and competitions on her Facebook page, ‘Tracy Goes Outside’, and managed to raise a staggering £2522."

Several young people took part, including 11-year-old Hopeman Primary School pupil Rohan Scott, who had to give up his beloved rugby due to health issues. His family have been trying to find new activities for him. His mum, Lucy, was super proud of his efforts, which included an epic 30-mile bike ride.

Both the summer and winter challenges will now run annually.

Karen added: "We will be doing it all over again in July, but if anyone fancies a challenge and can’t wait that long, we are celebrating our 18th birthday in April by encouraging people to sign up to Scotland’s Virtual Kiltwalk on April 23-25."

For more information on Outfit Moray and its work to deliver outdoor learning and adventure opportunities for local young people, visit www.outfitmoray.com.