Xmas hampers with a little 'muscle-tow'
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GYM owner Kris Hamilton will be flexing his biceps ahead of his annual sleigh pull from Thurso to Wick.
Every year, Kris puts on his Santa Claus outfit and takes the role of the reindeer as he pulls a sleighful of hampers between the two towns.
The hampers – which will be towed by Kris on December 9 – will be packed full of food, drink and clothing, and delivered to the elderly and some of the most vulnerable residents of Caithness.
It's Kris's fifth year at the helm, and while many applaud his fine efforts – the hampers being delivered to the east Caithness offices of NHS Highland's Care at Home services – they may well wonder why he takes on such an arduous task.
Kris – who runs the Hamilton Optimum Training gym at Ackergill – says his motivation is clear.
"One moment of my pain could be a lifetime of happiness for somebody else," he says.
"I'm effectively taking the role of the reindeer by pulling this sleigh – they've got time off ahead of their main job on Christmas Eve – but it's worth the effort."
He stresses that at least he's got a sturdy sleigh to haul his good this year.
"The first year I did this I went from Thurso to Wick pulling a Tesco trolley full of goodies," he said.
"That was quite something as trolleys can be tricky to control in the shop let alone on the road."
He underlined that the episode served as a good advertisement for Tesco, as it showed how strong its trolleys are.
"We average around 100 hampers – although we're aiming for 500 – and we're appealing for people to gather and donate as much food, drink and clothing as possible, as it can really light up someone less fortunate's Christmas.
"If people are in a position to give, then they can donate what they can to myself at the gym in Ackergill."
Kris is no stranger to fundraising as earlier this year he got down and dirty as he battled "the Beast".
He added: "The Beast Race is an annual 10km obstacle course race set around the banks of Loch Ness.
"The obstacles being mud, hills, marshes and climbing walls. It's nothing too ordinary like a road race – this course really challenges the runners.
"There are no winners in the Beast Race as the main purpose is simple – just finish the course.
"There are about 80 runners who take part and the whole purpose is to get everyone of them over the finish line.
"The Chest Heart and Stroke charity benefits from the event as after entry fees, an amount goes to them."
Food, drink and clothing for the needy can be donated at Kris's gym, which is located at Ackergill Hall.
