Young fundraisers set for virtual walk from Inverness to John O’Groats
A group of young people from the Highlands are setting off on a virtual walk of around 140 miles from Inverness to John O’Groats with the aim of raising funds for good causes.
The fundraising project is called Perspire Highland and is being run by Inspire Highland, a group of young people who all have additional support needs or disabilities and are advocating for awareness and equality.
They are taking up the challenge in aid of Children in Need as well as Inspire Highland.
The walk will be launched at an Inspire Highland day out, observing Covid-19 guidelines, at Nairn beach today. It is expected that the group will have completed the mileage to John O’Groats in time to finish on Friday, October 2.
The young people will do the actual walking in their gardens or local parks and record the distance they cover. Once a week, the number of miles travelled will be tallied up and the location reached by the walkers will be marked on an online map of the route from Inverness to John O’Groats.
So, for example, if the number of miles walked in the first week added up to 20 miles, the virtual group of walkers would have arrived at Alness which is 20 miles from Inverness.
There will be regular updates of the walkers’ progress on Facebook and Instagram, and supporters will be able to sponsor the walkers by donating online via their JustGiving page .
As well as clocking up the miles and raising money, members of the group plan to "drop in" on friends and local organisations along the way and meet up via Zoom for refreshments and a chat.
A special welcome event is planned for the group’s virtual arrival at the famous signpost in John O’Groats.
Perspire Highland is the brainchild of Inspire Highland member and fundraiser Shona Beveridge. The 20-year-old from Inverness was diagnosed four years ago with Niemann-Pick type C, a degenerative genetic condition, and since then has raised thousands of pounds for charities, including the rickshaw challenge for Children in Need and a garden marathon for Niemann-Pick UK.
Shona’s efforts have brought her nationwide publicity including an appearance on BBC television's The One Show.
She said: “I am keen to support BBC Children in Need because it helps to fund the clinical nurse specialist at the charity Niemann-Pick UK, who provide children and families affected by the condition with medical advice, home visits and support throughout their diagnosis.
“I don’t see my disability as a barrier. I see it as an opportunity to do things people don’t expect from me.”
Sarah Campbell from Inspire Highland will also take part in the walk. She said: “We’ll be raising money and also raising the profile of Inspire Highland.
"It’s a fantastic group that helps to give a voice to young people with additional support needs or disabilities – and gives us a chance to have great company and a chat.”
Inspire Highland is supported by Highland Children and Young People’s Forum, a charity which promotes the active participation of children and young people with additional support needs in the development of policy and the evaluation of service provision.