Olympic silver medallist Katherine Grainger MBE has called upon ambitious Scots to raise crucial funds for Aberlour, the Scottish children’s charity, by taking part in an exciting Nepalese mountain trek next year.
The Scottish rowing champion who took home a silver medal at this years Olympics in Beijing helped kick start a campaign for Aberlour’s 2009 fundraising trek - Kilts across the Himalayas - at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho last night. She was joined by charity trekker David Elder and six children from Aberlour’s befriending service in Stirling, Unit 2, to urge people to sign up for the trek.
The 2009 trek, which is a 10 day fundraising challenge across Annapurna, a series of peaks in the Nepalese Himalayas, takes place in October 2009. It aims to follow in the footsteps of the highly successful 2008 trek, Kilts to Kilimanjaro, which raised a staggering fundraising total of £61,000 for Aberlour’s services across the country.
As well as encouraging people to sign up for the trek, Katherine also took time out from her busy schedule to chat to the young people from Unit 2 about her Olympic experiences and athletic career to date. Katherine said:
“I’m delighted to launch Aberlour’s 2009 charity trek Kilts across the Himalayas. It’ll be a hugely motivating experience and create the chance to fulfil a lifetime ambition. Most importantly though, taking part will see trekkers raise money for such a worthwhile cause – vulnerable and disadvantaged children across Scotland.
“I was lucky enough to be able to share the launch of the 2009 trek with some children from Unit 2, Aberlour’s befriending service in Stirling. It was inspirational to hear their stories, how Aberlour has helped them and what their lifetime ambitions are.
“Being an athlete, I understand the motivation and dedication required to fulfil such a big challenge, but I would encourage anyone who has the determination to apply for next year’s trek, as it’ll be a once in a lifetime experience.”
David Elder, who successfully scaled the heights of Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of Aberlour earlier this year also called upon people to sign up for the Kilts across the Himalayas experience. He said:
“Having taken part in the 2008 trek to Kilimanjaro, I would urge others to take up the challenge. It’s a fantastic experience, not only because you’re doing something for charity but on a personal and social level, it’s really fulfilling. You certainly make lifelong friends! “
Jane Wyman, Aberlour’s events fundraising Executive said:
“Previous trekkers have told me that the challenge is not only about raising money for Aberlour, it’s also a life experience. Aberlour is aiming to recruit at least 20 volunteer trekkers with the hope of raising £25,000 plus, so if you fancy donning a kilt and flying the flag for Scotland’s children get in touch!”
For more details of Kilts Across the Himalayas please log on to our website www.aberlour.org.uk or contact Jane Wyman in the fundraising team on 01786 230 496.
Traditionally set up as an orphanage in the late 1800’s, Aberlour is now the largest solely Scottish, children’s charity, which provides help to over 6,000 vulnerable children, young people and their families each year.
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Notes to editors:
About Aberlour
Aberlour is Scotland’s largest children’s Scotland only charity which works with and for 6,000 children, young people and families throughout Scotland who need additional support to promote their development and wellbeing. It runs 46 services across the country. These include: intensive supports to severely disabled children and young people; residential and outreach support to families affected by parental drug and alcohol use; community and family centre based services to promote and enhance positive parenting, play and early learning; residential care and community programs for children and young people with social, educational, emotional and behavioural difficulties and a refuge and out reach service for children who have runaway from home – to name a few.
About Katherine Grainger MBE
Olympic silver medallist in 2000, 2004, 2008 and four times a World Champion, Katherine is GB's most successful Olympic female rower and was awarded an MBE in 2006 for services to rowing. She recently confirmed her position as GB's leading female rower by successfully defending her singles title again at the 2008 GB Rowing Senior Trials in Belgium. In 2007 she medalled at each of the World Cups and won the overall quad title for the series. The quad also won gold at the World Championships in Munich.