Ardgay pensioner's £1.2k walk in the wild
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A SUTHERLAND pensioner has raised more than £1200 after taking part in the Platinum Jubilee Great Wilderness Challenge on Saturday, August 13.
David Hannah (76), of Ardgay, opted to undertake a 13-mile circular walk from Poolewe – the base for the challenge.
A choice of routes is on offer ranging from a 25-mile strenuous route from Dundonnell to Poolewe plus less arduous 13 and seven-mile and 10k routes.
Money raised by participants goes to charities nominated annually by the Great Wilderness Challenge management committee.
This year the main beneficiary was Highland Hospice with a number of other charities also supported, including Highland Senior Citizens Network (HSCN), of which Mr Hannah is a trustee.
Participants are not allowed by event organisers to raise money for charities of their own choice.
In the months before the walk, Mr Hannah clocked up the miles on training walks while on holiday in the Lake District and also on outings with Sutherland Walkers Group.
He said: “I did the walk with Jo Cowan, a coordinator with HSCN. I raised more than £1200 from friendly folks through donations and sponsorship and was absolutely astounded by how kind and generous folks were.”
Mr Hannah and Ms Cowan were shocked to learn on their arrival back at Poolewe that a tragedy had taken place with a woman from Ireland collapsing and passing away while undertaking the same route.
“It is a real tragedy that a young woman died while out on the walk,” he said. “We never knew anything about it until we got back to Poolewe.”
It is not the first fundraiser undertaken by Mr Hannah in aid of HSCN.
Over June, July and August last year he climbed four peaks at Ullapool, Raasay, Barrra and Glencalvie, attracting sponsorship from across the globe and raising £200.
HSCN represents the interests of the 77,000 or so people of the Highlands who are aged over 55.
