AFC Community trust team tackle 7 Munros in 24 hours
They've raised over £50,000 in memory former Chairman Duncan Skinner.
A team from Aberdeen FC Community trust has bagged seven Munros in 24 hours to raise £53,000 for their Brighter Futures Legacy Fund.
The legacy fund was set up in memory of Duncan Skinner, the former Chairman of AFCCT who died after a battle with Cancer in April.
The fund supports the trust in helping young people in the North East, aiming to aid 14-18 year olds in fulfilling their potential.
Liz Bowie, chief executive of AFCCT, along with Mark Wilson, Iain Landsman and Eric Harper, decided the Munro challenge would be a fitting way to raise funds in memory of Duncan, who was himself a keen hillwalker.
The challenge included five of the six highest Munros in the Country - with the group climbing a total of 10,000 feet, walking 40 miles and getting in over 90,000 steps a day.
Liz Bowie, AFCCT Chief Executive, said: “It’s been humbling to see the level of support that we have received from across the community. Duncan touched the lives of so many people and he was influential in making the Trust what it is today.
“The challenge was the toughest walk of my life and definitely befitting of the cause we raised money for. The highlight was reaching the top of Ben Macdui at first sunlight to find the summit sitting just above a full cloud inversion. It’s an experience that I’ll never forget, and I know Duncan was proudly looking down on us.”
Trust ambassador Mark Wilson, who led the team, said: “Duncan had an energy and a real passion to help make sure that young people got a good start in life and that they were given a chance to be the best they could be.
"I am delighted that this support for young people will evolve through Duncan Skinner Brighter Futures Legacy Fund and be a fitting a legacy to him.”
Iain Landsman added: “Duncan and I were both members of Deeside Golf Club and I was fortunate to serve the committee during his tenure as captain of the club. We had a common passion for being up in the hills and would often share photos or tales from walks.
"I recalled Duncan telling me about a mammoth walk he completed in 2009 raising money for PSN. We had previously done four other walks for AFCCT and had been planning a significant walk, which Duncan was going to join us on, last year to mark our fifth year of fundraising, however, plans were put on hold. It just felt right, given the tragic passing of Duncan, that we should set ourselves the challenge of walking in his footsteps in aid of his legacy fund.”
In total over £53,000 was raised by the walk including a £20,000 donation from businessman Bob Keiller, £10,000 from AFC chairman Dave Cormack, an anonymous donation of £5,000 as well as more than £17,000 through our Just Giving page.
The total raise includes a £20,000 donation from businessman Bob Keiller, 10 grand from Aberdeen Chairman Dave Cormack, £17,000 through crowd funding and a £5,000 anonymous donation.
Helping them put their best foot forward was Adidas Terrex which donated footwear and outdoor apparel for the mission.
The Brighter Futures fund was instigated by a £20,000 donation from Duncan earlier in the year. It has no regular funding stream to help it expand and the money raised in the Munro challenge will go towards a £100,000 fundraising target which will fund the programme for the next five years.
The fund has also benefited by £1,500 donated by fans following Duncan’s death and a £10,000 donation from CNR. This generosity has resulted in the total raised for the Brighter Futures fund reaching almost £85,000.
Brighter Futures supports a number of initiatives for young people including the Young Ambassador programme for 14-18 year olds. Around 50 young people have already benefited from the programme which gives them the chance to gain essential life experiences, skills and qualifications which might not otherwise be available to them and will ultimately improve their chances of finding employment and reaching their full potential.
The Trust continues to fundraise for the Brighter Futures fund with future events planned. A Just Giving Page for donations to the fund has been set up here .