June 2021
Raising Awareness and Fundraising for Marie Curie and Make2ndsCount
Current Fundraising Total - £15,722.50 (inc Gift Aid) - Please help us reach our target £30k!
A Scottish-based adventure team is embarking on a marathon challenge this summer in a bid to raise funds for charities providing vital support to families hit by cancer.
Tartaneers Charlie Brett (age 22), and Toby Gray (age 18 - Merchiston Castle School), plan to run from Torrisdale in the north of Scotland to their home in Edinburgh as part of their 314.4-mile Highlands2Home challenge. Starting on June 14, the duo will cover 26.2 miles each day, taking in Inverness, Aviemore, and Perth before reaching home on June 26.
“The challenge is in memory of all our loved ones who have been taken by cancer and for families everywhere whose lives have been impacted by cancer,” explained Charlie, who is currently in his last year at Edinburgh College, having played touch rugby internationally and rugby union to a high standard. “We’ve discovered a new-found passion to push ourselves beyond the limits for a cause bigger than ourselves.”
This isn’t the first fundraising effort taken on by The Tartaneers. In June last year, Charlie and Toby completed a demanding 24-hour challenge comprising a 2km row, 3km run, and 10km cycle - every hour on the hour - raising an astounding £24,000 for Cancer Research.
“We have a mindset of pushing ourselves and never settling,” said Toby, who is currently in his final year at school studying A Levels at Merchiston Castle School. Having played rugby from a young age to playing at 1XV level he recognizes that he will need to draw on all the lessons he has learnt from the sport over the years. “The hard work we’re putting in is nothing compared to those suffering,” added Toby. That’s why we’re proud to have this opportunity to help make a difference”.
Two cancer charities are set to benefit from the duo’s marathon efforts; Make2ndsCount is a patient and family-focused charity dedicated to giving hope to women and men living with secondary cancer. Based in Edinburgh, the charity aims to raise awareness and fund medical research that will contribute to increasing patients’ quality of life. Marie Curie is the other beneficiary; the country’s leading end of life charity providing frontline nursing and hospice care amongst other support services.
The Tartaneers have also launched ‘The Tartaneers Challenge’, a school and club initiative to support fundraising and encourage communities to get active. More information and how to register for the mass participation UK challenge can be found on the website here. 50% of monies raised from the challenge events will go to the organising school/club, and 50% to The Tartaneers chosen charities. An exciting opportunity to encourage everyone in your community to exercise, competing against each other or other schools and clubs.
Supporting the vital work of charities that make a difference across communities is what The Tartaneers stand for.
Event Sponsors
Gold Level: AMA and Gilson Gray
Silver Level: Soprano Ice, Little Monkeys Nursery, JRM Coachworks
Bronze Level: 12 marathon leg sponsors, Rick & Jill Stein Restaurants, Ondine Restaurant, Newhaven Fishmarket, Welch Fishmongers, Ugly Mugs vintage clothing, Cherrytrees Nurseries, Westerwood Properties, Dunedin Properties, Arnold Clark, Graham & Sibbald, Graham’s Family Dairy, Kitchens International Interiors
Social Profiles
Instagram: @tartaneers
Facebook: The Tartaneers
Twitter: @tartaneers1
YouTube: The Tartaneers
Important Links
Launch Video - https://youtu.be/XrnytVVGPQQ
Donation Link - https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Tartaneers
The Tartaneers Clan for Highlands2Home
Supporting Charlie and Toby:
JACK NICHOLLS - VIDEOGRAPHER - The filming of the challenge is all being completed by Jack, a filmmaker from Edinburgh. Jack is passionate about spreading such an important message and capturing the Tartaneers ethos. “I am excited to bring the challenge to life through the power of media, to help generate as much awareness for a great cause”.
NEIL MACNICOL – COACH - Neil is the coach for this challenge. He has over 15 years experience of running ultramarathons, being a previous Scottish Ultra trail champion. He is passionate about helping The Tartaneers to reach their full running potential. “When Charlie and Toby got in touch, I was excited to get involved. 12 marathons in 12 days is no easy feat but I have full belief in them.”
SHONA CAMPBELL - TEAM MANAGER - The final member of the clan is Shona, a 2nd-year Psychology student at Edinburgh University. She is also an international rugby player, part of the Scotland Women’s squad. She will be organising the event and is also in charge of promotion for the challenge. She is determined to spread The Tartaneers message and inspire others to do all they can to support the two amazing charities.
Contact Details Email media@thetartaneers.co.uk Telephone 07512 706276
Website: www.thetartaneers.co.uk