TRAINING is going well for the RSABI Great Glen Challenge 
In week two of our look at the teams taking part we will focus on more of the finely honed athletes taking part.
As part of this we are asking readers to choose a team(s) to support and raise some meaningful monies for this deserving charity.

This week we have:

Begbies Traynor
Team members: 
Ken Pattullo, Kenny Craig, Lawrence O’Hara, Stuart Kirk and Jane Steel.

Reason for taking part: 
“Growing up on a farm, as I did, and having gone through some tough times, I have an acute sense of how invaluable RSABI is and the incredible support that it provides to farmers and anyone else involved in agriculture” 
– Ken Pattullo

Quote/fact:
 “We at Begbies Traynor have an unrivalled expertise in providing assistance to those who are struggling financially, particularly in the farming sector and how this, in turn, can impact on mental health and levels of stress and depression. 
“As a result, we are frequently called in by RSABI to use our experience and knowledge of such situations to try to optimise the outcome for them. We never charge for our first meetings with the client and can call upon a whole range of specialist expertise, which would otherwise not be available, but for our involvement. 
“Added to that, we are bidding to become the first team in the history of the challenge to defend the trophy successfully” 
– Ken Pattullo

Fundraising link:
CLICK HERE TO DONATE

RHASS – Team Royal and Team Highland
Team members: Alan Laidlaw, Fiona Wallace, Bill Arnot, David Tennant, Mark Currie, Martin Hall, Katrina Barclay, Laura McCafferty, Jo Andrews, plus Heather Wildman, who is not pictured.
 
The reasons for taking part: 
‘RSABI helps people in Scottish agriculture that sometimes we forget about. We are championing help for people when they need it the most! RHASS supports the work of RSABI and work closely with them on other initiatives, including the Doug Avery Tour, and we are delighted to support them in any way we can to look after our own!’
– Alan Laidlaw

 Quote/fact: 
“This time, RHASS stands for: The Really Hopeful Athletic Stars of Society!”
 
Fundraising link: 
CLICK HERE TO DONATE

United Auctions – UA’s Young Stirks
Team members: Robbie Hamilton, Kirsty Morton, Ailsa Taylor and team captain, Andrew Weir. 
 
The reasons for taking part: 
“The Great Glen Challenge is a great opportunity to take part in a tough, but fun competition that also allows us to bond as a team and meet new people. Most importantly, it’s a chance to raise awareness of and money for RSABI to help give back to people who have worked in our industry that need some extra support.”
– Andrew Weir
 
Quote/fact:
The team has a real-life mascot, a heifer called Castlemill Oasis, owned by team captain, Andrew Weir. However, she won’t be joining them on August 30 for the big day!
 
Fundraising link:
CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Ardardan Estate: Monty’s Mooovers
Team members: 
Grant Montgomery, Sara Packham, Jerry Packham, Hannah Abernethy and Susan Aikman.

The reasons for taking part:
‘We are a family business and so love getting the chance to take on challenges outwith our usual working environment together and so this is the perfect opportunity. Doing it for RSABI makes it all the 
more important and meaningful as they are a charity that do such brilliant and crucial work within the agricultural industry. We’re a super determined family who love a sporting challenge.’
– Grant Montgomery

Fundraising link:
CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Graham’s The Family Dairy – ‘Golden Gang’
Team members: 
Diana Brydson, head of group technical; Lianne Aitken, payroll administrator; Jonny Hopkins, group packaging controller; and team captain, Morag Holdsworth, farm manager. 

Quote/fact:
“Graham’s The Family Dairy is proud to support the great work that RSABI do, this year we are excited to be taking part in this amazing event. Physically and mentally preparing for the 6km kayak has been quite a challenge. When I started training, I felt very rusty as I hadn’t been kayaking in a long time, but I have thoroughly enjoyed getting back into it.”
– Morag Holdsworth

Fundraising link: 
CLICK HERE TO DONATE

NFU Scotland – Scrambled Legs and Easier Said Than Run
Teams breakdown:
Scrambled Legs – Vice-president Martin Kennedy (walking); director of policy, Jonnie Hall (running); policy manager, Jenny Brunton (kayaking); and communications officer, Douglas Ross (cycling). 
Easier Said Than Run – President Andrew McCornick (walking); policy manager, John Armour (running); Emma Bradbury (kayaking); and regional manager, Lindsay Brown (cycling). 

Reason for entering:
“Through our work representing 8500 farmers and crofters across Scotland, NFU Scotland’s staff and officeholders have seen first hand the important work RSABI does in the agricultural community. RSABI is able to provide a one to one service for farmers and crofters who are struggling, financially, mentally or physically, and that can make a huge difference. 
The service RSABI provides is not cheap to run and as a charity it needs to be properly supported, which is why the NFU Scotland staff decided to participate in this year’s Great Glen Challenge. RSABI have supported so many of our members over the years and it is fantastic to be able to raise some money for the charity. 

Team member quote:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to raise money for a charity which offers direct support to several of our members and does a great deal of work in our industry.
“We have two teams in this year and it has added something of a competitive edge to the office in the lead up to the event. No one wants to be on the slowest NFU Scotland team and some of the training regimes are beginning to reflect that. 
“RSABI’s Great Glen Challenge is always a well run event and everyone on both of the NFU Scotland teams are looking forward to the day and to raise money for such a deserving cause,” 
– Douglas Ross. 

Fundraising link: 
CLICK HERE TO DONATE

SAC Consulting – Team B(rilliant)
Team members: 
Jack Munro, agricultural consultant (kayaking); Will Seral, communications officer (biking); Calum Johnston, food and drink consultant (walking); and Karen Stewart, ruminant nutritionist (running). Back up and cheerleader is from Julian Bell, senior rural business Consultant).

Reason for entering:
“SAC Consulting is aiming to raise at least £1000 for RSABI in the Great Glen Challenge 2019. This is a well-respected charity, which we have had close ties with for decades. RSABI has been helping people in rural areas of Scotland since 1897 providing: emotional, practical and financial support to struggling families and individuals. This cause is close to our heart since a vast majority of our clients are farmers and crofters. 
“We have witnessed the huge impact on individuals that have received practical support from the charity, from livestock disease outbreaks, financial crisis, bereavement of children and mental health struggles are some examples of the circumstances which RSABI has helped fellow rural neighbours. We don’t want anyone who is going through difficulties to be unsupported and that’s why we believe this is worthwhile and are sending a team to compete in the GGC.” 

Fundraising link: 
CLICK HERE TO DONATE