Raised £1700 for Church Bells

Long Preston resident Heather Thomas-Smith has once again successfully completed the TGO Challenge, solo, across Scotland and, with pledges of over £1400 plus gift aid, has raised £1700 for the bells of St Mary’s Church in Long Preston.  Sadly two of the bells had to be taken out of commission in late 2006 as considerable repairs and work are now required. 

The Challenge, sponsored by the magazine TGO and outdoor equipment specialists RAB, is a self-supported trek which requires participants to plan their own route across Scotland via signing in points starting on Scotland’s West Coast, between Ardrishaig and Torridon, before finishing at a point of their choice between Fraserburgh and Arbroath.  This year Heather chose to start at Torridon and finish at Stonehaven, following a zigzag route that encompassed 247 miles and 49,000’ of ascent (these measurements are based on her actual route taken using Memory-Map).  Her route encompassed many of the more remote Scottish hills, including the West Monar Hills, and took in a varied set of weather conditions and terrain from waking to snow on the tent to knee deep heather and bogs, all this with a full pack! 

Click here to see the route details  and photos of
"Walking for Bells"

Click here to see photos and details of Heather's previous
Coast-to-Coast Walk

Of her experience this year Heather said “It was pretty tough with a longer route and more ascent this year for, although I managed to get my pack weight down from last year – changing the type of food I took and by renewing old equipment – the physical stress on knees and joints going up and particularly down hills with a full pack is pretty wearying.  I had also changed my boots and required six dressings every day to keep the blisters at bay! 

Nevertheless the scenery is magnificent and, even though it can be hard going when it’s snowing and blowing a gale, there is a majesty to the Scottish hills which is difficult to surpass; it is easy to forget the ‘pain’ when faced with the magic views of a sheer drop to a corrie or when being accompanied by a pair of ptarmigan whilst huddling down for lunch on the top of a Munro.  And you meet some great folk for, although as a solo challenger I was usually on my own, you often find a fellow hill walker to briefly chat to in the remotest of places, maybe meet someone to walk with for a while or find that social watering hole for a pint and refuel.  I met some wonderful people from fellow challengers to lasses travelling round Scotland for the first time and one cannot forget the warm welcome given by all en route, whether stopping off for a cup of tea or drying out at a bunkhouse for a night.  It is a great challenge to do and, however tough you make it, creates many new friendships and memories.”

Click here to see the gallery of photographs
 and route maps