It was their toughest challenge yet but a hardy team of five ladies completed an epic adventure last Friday climbing seven Munros in less than 24 hours all in aid of The Leanne Fund.
 
The five friends set off at 4.30am finishing 19 hours later at the summit of their 7th Munro.
 
The team - Chrisetta Mitchell, Jimina MacLeod, Chrisell MacLeod, Mina Nicolson and Donna Barden  - say it was worth every step as they have now raised more than £2,000 for the charity which supports young people affected by Cystic Fibrosis and their families.
 
Describing the adventure, which was complicated by the weather conditions, Chrisetta Mitchell said:
 
“It was so tough, the toughest physical challenge I’ve ever undertaken.
 
 “It was really quite scary in parts, when you were scrambling along a ridge at 3000 ft with sheer drops either side!  But our guide Connor was fantastic and he kept us focused every step of the way.
 
“I think what we hadn’t fully appreciated was the number of summits we had to climb along the route – we were actually on 17 summits in total throughout the day with majority of Munro height ie over 3000 ft.  After we reached our 6th Munro, a heavy mist had come down over the arete and Ben Nevis and Connor advised that we could not continue the route safely so we finished our challenge on another mountain of Munro height, Carn Dearg Meadhonach.”
 
She explained that the training walks led by Robert Sinclair were so helpful in preparing them but that nothing could ultimately prepare them for the 19 hours of endurance.
She added: “We are so grateful to our sponsors Calmac and Horshader Development Trust, and to everyone who has supported us along the way.  Our current total stands at just over £2,500 but our justgiving page will remain open for another few weeks if anyone would like to make a donation.”
 
Jimina Macleod said: “What a journey it has been from our first tentative clamber up Ben Bragar, all the early morning trips to Harris to that nervous, excited feeling when we finally set off at 4:30am in a mist of midges!
 
“Nothing can prepare you for the breathtaking beauty or the tranquillity of these momentous mountains. Don't get me wrong it was one of the hardest, scariest things I've ever done but the sense of achievement reaching the summits of all these peaks was immense. Although I'm so relieved it's finished and I never have to climb a mountain again!”

Mina Nicolson said: “We were slightly apprehensive before and wondering if we would last the course but our training was invaluable and we had plenty puff to propel ourselves up these giants!  The scenery was stunning and we are very grateful for to have had the experience, even although some bits of the course were slightly hairy. We are all very grateful to have been kept safe and well throughout our journey. Wonderful team work!”

Donna Barden said: “It was good to bag some Munros, experience stunning views of Scotland's wonderful mountains, had some scary moments, but I'm very glad to have been part of a great team!
“We had special moments such as a beautiful rainbow appearing which was very special. Life is a journey of experiences and our Munros will always prominently feature! We live in a beautiful world.”

Chrisell Macleod said: “It was stunningly beautiful at the summits of each Munro although scary at times getting there, it was an exhilarating journey. Showing us the wonder of God’s creation and a real sense of achievement completing this challenge.”
 
To support this mighty challenge, please visit:
 
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jimina-Macleod
​

More than 100 ladies donned their best frocks and wellies last Saturday (June 17th) for a day to remember in aid of The Leanne Fund.
Tea in the Tent on Lews Castle Green was a great success raising thousands for The Leanne Fund which will go towards vital support services for young people affected by Cystic Fibrosis and their families across the Highlands and Island and Grampian.
The event involved a vintage tea party in the afternoon followed by a hog roast barbecue and dance. Guests were treated to an array of tasty courses, sweet and savoury, along with musical entertainment from Rosie Sullivan, Eleanor Nicolson and Iain Spanish, Murdo ‘Gress’ Maclennan and Catch 22 throughout the afternoon and evening.
Chrisetta Mitchell from The Leanne Fund said: “We are delighted that Tea in the Tent was such a success and are so grateful to all the ladies who attended and supported the charity.
“All money raised at this event will go towards two new projects, On the Move – to support those making the move to live independently for the first time, and Over the Rainbow which will offer an extraordinary wishlist or experience for those in the final stage of illness.”
 She added: “The response from businesses across the Highlands and Islands was phenomenal and the list of those who assisted and contributed was just overwhelming.
 
“The event took a huge amount of organisation by our volunteers and organisers Nicola Libby and Cat Campbell did an amazing job of pulling it all together.
“Thanks in particular to Titchy Pitch, the sponsors, those who donated raffle prizes, the guys who helped put the tent up and floor it and then take it all down again and of course Paul Matheson and the Stramash Community Group for lending the marquee.”

The Leanne Fund wishes to extend a huge THANK YOU to Co-op customers in Stornoway who have helped raise more than £12,000 for the charity.

As the foremost Cystic Fibrosis (CF) charity in Scotland, The Leanne Fund works with individuals affected by CF and their families across the Highlands, Islands and Grampian to provide vital social, practical, emotional and financial assistance.

The Co-op’s Local Community Fund has allowed Co-op members to support the charity while doing the weekly shop with 1% of spend on Co-op branded products going to the charity along with money raised from carrier bag sales.

The Leanne Fund is delighted to receive this cash which will fund a brand new service – ‘On the Move’ – a programme to support young people with CF who are moving away to College or University or setting up home independently for the first time.

Chrisetta Mitchell, Development Manager for The Leanne Fund said: “We are so grateful to the Co-op and its Members who have raised such a phenomenal amount of money which will make such a difference to the lives of young people with CF.

“’On the Move’ is a new service which has been created in response to demand from those we work with. For a young person with CF, moving out of home can be a very daunting prospect and presents many practical challenges.

“Through this programme we hope to be able to assist with providing essential items such as a fridge for storing medicine, help with heating costs; a mentor/befriending service etc.

“Moving away to College or University or setting up home for the first time can be really exciting but it can also be extremely stressful and worrying as new social relationships have to be built up. These are inevitably constrained by the nature of the illness and the need to protect against infection.

“At The Leanne Fund we recognise that these may be additional worries for young people with Cystic Fibrosis moving out of home and we want to do all that we can to help.”

She added: “We want to keep everyone informed about the work of The Leanne Fund and would encourage members to log on to our website to see more about the work we do and we will provide regular updates on this specific programme which is only able to move forward because of funding from the Co-op and its customers.”

Steven Cooper, store manager of Co-op’s Macaulay Road store, said: “We’re a close knit community and our customers and members have relished the opportunity to support such a wide range of local causes whilst doing their everyday shopping.


“It’s a great feeling to know that the groups and charities have had a funding boost from Co-op and can start to put the money to good use.”