A SCOTS charity has opted to cycle around Scotland this summer to help raise money in support of connecting young people with farming and the working countryside.
Alistair Marshall, a dairy farmer from Dumfries and Galloway is set to cycle this June through each of the 13 Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) Countryside Initiative areas.
The RHET chairman hopes that this will help raise at least £10,000 to support RHET in continuing to provide free educational activities and experiential learning for young people aged 3 – 18 years.
However, Alistair won’t be alone in the Chairman’s Challenge as many from across the network will cycle alongside him during various parts of the challenge.
The challenge will start in the Lothians on Tuesday 13th June with Alistair then cycling to schools in the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire and Arran.
He will then cycle through Dumbarton, Lomond and Renfrew, Argyll and Bute, Forth Valley, Clyde, Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Perth & Kinross, and Fife.
The cycle will conclude at the Royal Highland Show on 22nd June.
Alistair said: “I’m immensely proud of the work RHET does, which each year makes it possible for around 70,000 children to visit a working farm or benefit from a classroom activity focused on food and farming.
“But, like a lot of charities and businesses, the pandemic hit hard, and this challenge is one way to help raise money to ensure we can continue to take the classroom to the countryside.
“Thankfully, I won’t be doing this challenge alone as volunteers from across RHET’s network will be cycling parts of the challenge with me.
“We will also be joined by the RHET sheep, which will be decorated by school children and sit alongside the RHASS ‘Flock to the Show’ art display at the Royal Highland Show,”
Alistair added: “There are opportunities available for organisations to throw their support behind the initiative, including different sponsorship packages with sponsors’ logos featured on the RHET support vehicle which will be part of the Challenge entourage.”
Katrina Barclay, Chief Executive of RHET, said:
“The impact of the pandemic has been felt keenly by our young people making it more important than ever to be offering RHET’s unique service.
“And although the pandemic has also resulted in greater interest in food provenance and sustainability, it has put even greater pressure on RHET’s resources.
“For example, the cost of transporting 50 school children to a farm by bus has increased by 200%.
“I would really encourage anyone who can to get behind our Chairman as he puts rubber to the road, all for a great cause.”
Since 1999, the Royal Highland Education Trust has been providing free, impactful experiences relating to the environment, economic and social realities of rural Scotland.
Through a programme of visits, RHET provides the opportunity to meet those responsible for rearing and growing our food.
In so doing, combining unbiased and engaging information with a hands-on lifelong learning experience.
