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STAFF at North of Scotland Newspapers received a royal send-off at the weekend as their first charity event got under way... with the blessing of the Queen’s local representative.
Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness Anne Dunnett was on hand to lead the first mile of a royal-wedding-themed sponsored walk to John O’Groats from the late Queen Mother’s holiday home, the Castle of Mey.
Saturday’s event, organised by Groat and Courier staff, was to help raise money for two play parks and new football training pitches.
Representatives from the groups involved – Thrumster Park Regeneration Fund, Keiss Family Community Project and Thurso Youth FC – joined NOSN staff in getting into the mood by dressing up in wedding attire for the walk, which drew its inspiration from Friday’s royal wedding.
NOSN advertisement manager Sheona Campbell said she and the rest of the staff at the Groat office were thrilled that the maiden event for their Charity of the Year initiative had passed without a hitch.
“We were delighted to see all the groups represented, especially the Thrumster contingent who were out in force and excelled themselves by their sheer stamina.
“We couldn’t keep up with the frontrunners but I suppose some of us had to bring up the rear,” she said.
“It was a very pleasant morning although breezy with very light showers and despite the occasional spots of rain we all really enjoyed the walk. However, it was nigh on impossible to hang on to some of the wedding finery so most of the veils and flimsy fancy dress had to be discarded fairly early on as there was a distinct possibility that they were going to end up in the Pentland Firth!”
She continued: “The front groups had collection buckets and we were astounded by the generosity of the folk who came out of their homes to make a donation, so a huge thanks to all those who supported us.
“We are now all looking forward to the next fundraising event.”
Around 20 people made the eight-mile journey to John O’Groats to raise money for the causes, and the collection buckets were rattling by the end after the generous people of the county came out of their houses and stopped their cars to find out why a wedding party was out in the countryside on a blustery day in April. The walk got under way just after 10am on Saturday with local photographer and well-known piper John Macrae, of Thurso, piping the group, led by Miss Dunnett, out of the castle’s grounds to the sound of various wedding tunes. People who stopped to chat with walkers were keen to support all three projects and their good wishes helped the fundraisers to forget about the odd aching foot.
The group made it to the Seaview Hotel at John O’Groats two and half hours after starting out.
Although not quite Buckingham Palace where Prince William and Kate will hold their reception, the thirsty walkers managed to raise a toast in the Seaview to the success of the first NOSN charity event.
At the time of going to press the money raised from the walk was still being counted. Next up will be a number of pub quizzes around the county. More details will be confirmed over the next few weeks.
On behalf of Thrumster Park Regeneration Fund, Keiss Family Community Project and Thurso Youth FC, the staff at NOSN would like to pass on their gratitude to all those who donated on the day or who gave sponsor money.
