RSABI, the charity which supports people in Scottish agriculture, is sending a message of thanks to the sponsors, teams, supporters and volunteers who made its annual fundraising event on Friday such a huge success.

The event was fully booked with the maximum of 25 teams from a wide range of roles in Scottish agriculture taking part in a challenging day of outdoor sport, testing endurance and fitness, as well as offering a great opportunity for teambuilding and camaraderie.

The event, sponsored by expert legal advisors to the rural sector, Gillespie Macandrew, took place in a stunning setting between Fort Augustus and Fort William. It saw sponsored teams take on a demanding route consisting of a 49km mountain bike, 6km kayak, 18km walk, and 17km run.

The annual challenge is designed to raise awareness of the work of the charity as well as the importance of teamwork and physical fitness for mental and physical wellness, promoting commitment and teamwork from the onset of training right up to race day.

Alongside training and competing, the teams have worked hard to fundraise in a bid to help RSABI, the charity which supports people in Scottish agriculture, reach the ambitious target of £50,000, which will help the charity provide emotional, practical and financial support to people in Scottish agriculture.

So far, a fantastic total of nearly £49,000 has been raised by those taking part and RSABI is encouraging supporters to dig deep and help in a bid to reach its target over the coming week.

“The Great Glen Challenge 2023 really was an exceptional event, with an outstanding effort made by people from all different parts of our industry. We are so grateful to our sponsors and to everyone who took part, helped teams to train or came along to support on the day,” said Carol McLaren, Chief Executive of RSABI.

“We are also very grateful to our trustees and volunteers who got their sleeves rolled up and helped us set the event up and derig afterwards in a range of weathers from sunshine to downpours, with a lively band of midges who kept us company for much of the day!”

Alan White, partner in the land and rural business team at Gillespie Macandrew, sponsors of the event, presented the prizes to individuals and teams at a post-event reception at the iconic Neptune’s Staircase, Banvie.  He commented: “We were pleased to sponsor this fantastic event.  As longstanding advisors to the sector, we are all too familiar with the challenges facing those working in agriculture and just how invaluable the work of the RSABI is in providing support.  Our teams thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and the opportunity to spend time with their peers in glorious surroundings.”

The overall team winner was Scottish Woodlands, with last year’s winners Shannoch, taking second team place, followed by the Royal Bank of Scotland in third.

Individual awards were made to Edward Fletcher (mountain biking) of Galbraith Giants, Mark Donald (kayaking) of NFU Team 2, David Michie (running) of NFU Team 1 and walking (joint first place) Rebecca Drummond of Team Shannoch, Neil White of Scottish Woodlands and Andy Glasgow of Royal Bank of Scotland.

Participating teams included Bank of Scotland, Bell Ingram, Bidwells LLP, the Crofting Commission, Davidson & Robertson, Galbraith, Gillespie Macandrew, James Hutton Institute, Johnston Carmichael, NFU Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, SAC Consulting, SAYFC, Scottish Woodlands, SP Energy Networks, Tarff Valley, Thomson Cooper Accountants, Thorntons, and Virgin Money.

RSABI’s freephone Helpline – 0808 1234 555 – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and calls won’t show up on phone bills. All enquires are treated as confidential by the organisation’s friendly, professional team. You can make contact online on a range of social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and you can also reach RSABI via the webchat function on its website www.rsabi.org.uk 24 hours a day.