HIGHLAND CROSS
 

 

 

About Highland Cross

  • Is a recognised Scottish Charity: SCO 26679.

  • Is an entirely voluntary organisation.

  • Is a top fundraising athletic event in the Highlands.

  • Is staged on a Saturday around Midsummer's Day in June every year.

  • Funds medical / health / care causes in the North of Scotland.

  • Helps those suffering ill health and disability of all kinds.

  • Has gifted over £3.2 million to local charities in 29 years.

The 'Sport for All' Occasion

  • Staging costs of about £20,000 currently are covered mainly by team registration fees and by event sponsors obtained by the organisers.

  • The first event in 1983 was restricted to teams from the local emergency services and ran from Kintail to Inverness, fielding 41 teams (123 competitors).

  • Only 2 people have completed every one; John Talbot from Kyle and David Rose from Inverness.

  • The fastest time: 3 hours, 13 minutes and 31 seconds by Keith Murray, a New Zealand athlete.

  • The slowest time: probably 10 hours 25 minutes in 2001 - the lady had 2 punctures!

Fundraising by Teams - Every Penny Counts

  • Each team is asked to raise a minimum of £300 per team.

  • The team average over the past decade has been £650 per team.

  • The highest ever team total was £23,000 raised by a team from the City of London in 1994.

  • The top fundraising team of all time is the "Affric Rats" led by Timothy Laing from Perthshire and featuring local solicitor Jonathan Wotherspoon. Since 1988 they have raised over £150,000.

  • £197,915 raised in the 28th year (2010) is the highest total so far.

  • Every penny banked by the teams goes directly to the nominated charities - nothing is deducted for administration, running costs or expenses.

Annual Donations - Buildings

Some examples are:-

  • Highland Hospice - Morvich Ward

  • Raigmore Hospital - Highland Child Development Centre

  • Inverness Hospital Radio - New Studio

  • Hydrotherapy Pools (5) - Drummond School; Ladysbridge Hospital, Banff; Nairn, Lochaber and the Dingwall Puffin Pool.

  • L'Arche, Inverness - Residential Home

  • Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre for the Highlands

Annual Donations - Equipment

Some practical gifts for:-

  • Tape Service for the Blind

  • The "Heart Start" campaign for Defibrillators

  • The Highland Scanner

  • Breathe Easy Highland

  • Crossroads Schemes, Highland

  • Osteoporosis Service in the Highlands

Annual Donations - Transport

Highland Cross has donated over 40 vehicles, mainly adapted mini-buses.  All are in active service for:-

  • British Red Cross

  • Cheshire House

  • Chest Heart and Stoke, Highland

  • Highland Disability Sport

  • Highland Dyslexia Association

  • Highland Group Riding for the Disabled

  • Lochaber Birchwood

  • M.S. Groups (2)

  • NESS DOC

  • Seaforth House

  • Shopmobility

  • SNAP (Special Needs Action Project)

Pace Setter for Sport in Charity Fundraising in the Region

Since 1983 the Highland sporting / charity calendar of events now includes:

Local Heros

What some entrants have called “50 miles of midsummer magic” is due entirely to the multi-talented army of dedicated volunteers and resourceful organisations in the Safety and Welfare network on the day.  They have brought “Highland Hospitality” and good humoured service to a new height.  Appreciative teams, happy organisers and very grateful charities are their reward.