ERSC for Poppyscotland Hearts & Heroes Challenge
Southern Upland Way - 16/05/09
ERSC are looking for volunteers to put together a couple of teams to take part in this event.
The Poppyscotland Hearts & Heroes Challenge is a maximum 12-hour walk or trail run for teams of four minimum. The fitness challenge has six categories: Age 16-18, Mixed (minimum 2 women) Women Only, Men Only, Fastest Armed Services Team, Fastest Rugby Team.
The 29-mile route commences at the southern end of St Mary's Loch, working its way along the stunning Southern Upland Way, culminating in the beautiful town of Melrose. It is fitting that the challenge ends in this location as the founder of Poppyscotland, Field Marshal Earl Haig, was from nearby Bemersyde, where his son, the current Earl Haig, still lives today.
There are three finishes - bronze (12 miles), silver (21 miles) and gold, so that participants of all levels of fitness and ability can aim for a target that suits them.
Poppyscotland helps veterans and their families in Scotland, through the help of dedicated volunteers and donors. Although best known for organising the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal each November, fundraising events and activities take place throughout the year to help meet the increasing demand on resources. All money raised is spent in the following ways:
- Providing direct financial assistance to individuals
- Funding advice services
- Supporting organisations that deliver specialist services to veterans in Scotland
- Supporting the employment of veterans with disabilities
We do not fund other charities or movements but will connect people and groups to ensure that help is directed where it is most needed. We will lobby for change in the interests of vulnerable people and groups and we will act as advocates."
The general aim of The Sportsman's Charity is, in partnership with individuals, charities and the corporate sector, to generate funds for charitable purposes. This partnership understands the need to bring value to you, your business or organisation for your involvement as stakeholders in our business.
The charity runs a number of events regularly throughout the year to achieve this. This includes generating funds for The Murrayfield Centenary Fund for disabled rugby players, as a part of that purpose.
Any one wishing to take part should contact ERSC at ersc@ymail.com or bert.lawson@blueyonder.co.uk as soon as possible stating which of the three distances you would be willing to take part in. Please can you state if you would prefer to be in a mixed or single gender team. (This depends on the number of people who take part.)
Important information:-
All of the information for the people taking part is available on the Hearts & Heroes website (www.heartsandheroes.co.uk/) but here is a quick summary:
Date: Saturday 16th May
Route: A 29 mile section of Southern Upland Way from Tibbysheilds (between Moffat and Selkirk) to Melrose (finish line is at the Greenyards, Melrose RFC)
Time: Registration either on Firday until 23:00 or from 06:00 on Saturday. Start time 07:00
Teams: Team size is ideally 4 but can more or less
Fees: Team registration is £300 and this needs to be paid in advance
Fundraising: Primarily through www.justgiving.com, where you set up your own page and circulate the address to anyone who might make a donation. This site is particularly useful because you donors can claim back gift aid
Charities: The money raised is going to support three charities - Poppyscotland, Hearts & Balls and The Sportsman's Charity
Accommodation: There is camping available at both Tibbysheilds and Melrose
Support teams: It is suggested that you have a support team with each walking team - they can meet the walkers at the bronze and silver points (12 & 21 miles) with refreshments and encouragement!