AS COMPETITORS from throughout the agricultural sector prepare for this year’s RSABI Great Glen Challenge, the rural charity is urging supporters to get behind their teams and donate generously in the lead up to the event, which takes place next week, on Friday August 26.

The Challenge, which last year raised a record-breaking £62,000, has attracted 92 participants from 23 rural businesses and organisations across the country, and has already raised many tens of thousands of pounds since it was first established in 2012.

All funds raised are crucial to help RSABI and their ‘Help us help them’ campaign, launched in June this year, which is aiming to raise £150,000 by the Spring in an endeavour to help put a stop to rural poverty.

RSABI Great Glen Challenge 2016 is sponsored once again by Ledingham Chalmers, solicitors, with support from partners Royal Bank of Scotland, CKD Galbraith, Bank of Scotland, media sponsor The Scottish Farmer and NFU Scotland, who have all entered teams, and NFU Scotland.

Competitors work in groups to cycle 46km, kayak 6km, walk 18km and run 17km down the Great Glen from Fort Augustus to Neptune’s Staircase at Benavie. As well as competing for glory during the Challenge itself, teams are also vying with each other to raise the greatest amount of money.

RSABI’s Paul Tinson said: “We are delighted to have 23 fantastic teams entered next week and we’ve got a few organisations entering more than just one, so we’re expecting, as ever, some serious competitive rivalry!

“It’s great to have so many new supporters for this year’s staging, and we’re always incredibly grateful to everyone who takes on the event each year. It is designed to be a challenge, reminding everyone of the hard work undertaken by those we aim to help."

Those looking to donate can do so at www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/RSABIGGC16 or by calling the event hotline on 0300 111 4166.

More about the event, including the teams taking part, the route card and overviews of each of the stages can be found on the RSABI website at www.rsabi.org.uk/

RSABI is a registered charity which provides financial assistance, support and a helpline to improve the lives of individuals and their dependants, where these individuals rely, or have relied, upon land based employment and who through age, injury or illness or other misfortune, now experience hardship.