Aberdeenshire students take on coast-to-coast challenge in memory of Paul Burns
13 May 2014
Staff and students from Banchory Academy in Aberdeenshire will soon be taking on their toughest ‘Across Scotland’ challenge yet starting on Friday 16 May.
The Academy has been running the ‘Across Challenge’ for six years, each year choosing a different route to travel by foot, canoe, bike, or a combination of all three from the West coast of Scotland to the East. The route is completed over 7-9 days and is between 300 and 350km.
They choose a charity every year and this time they have chosen Blesma, The Limbless Veterans in memory of Paul Burns, aged 52, who lost both his legs as a result of an explosion in Northern Ireland in 1979 – and joined the students on last year’s event ahead of his untimely death just two weeks after completing the challenge.
Setting off on Saturday 17 May, 14 pupils between the ages of 13 and 15 along with 4 staff members, Blesma Member Tony Checkley and Blesma’s Digital Media Officer Nick Tuck will start at the Island of Vatersay, cross to the Butt of Lewis crossing the Western Isles then going across to the mainland to travel from Ullapool to Tarbat Ness Point. This distance of 465km will be completed over seven days.
Deputy Rector of Banchory Academy Colin Nicholl says: “Myself, the other staff and of course the students are really looking forward to taking on this challenge – the toughest route yet. Paul Burns’ passion for adventure and for Blesma will be with us all the way and we really hope that we can raise as much money as possible for a cause so close to his, and all our hearts.”
Annette Hall, Head of Fundraising at Blesma says: “My heartfelt thanks go out to the staff and students of Banchory Academy not only for all their hard work in raising vital funds for our injured service personnel, but also for such a fitting tribute to Paul Burns, who was a beacon for everything Blesma stands for. Very pleased that our very own Nick joins them as they take on this challenge. I wish them all the best of luck in their endeavour.”
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless service men and women, their widows and dependants. It was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932.
To show your support for the team in their fundraising efforts, please go to: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/banchoryacademyacrossscotland2014
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the link below:
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About Blesma, The Limbless Veterans
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless serving and ex-service men and women, their widows and dependants. It is a membership organisation which helps wounded service men and women rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and welfare support. Their membership includes those who have lost the use of a limb, an eye or the sight of an eye.
Blesma was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932. Blesma today has over 4000 Members and widows. The membership consists of men and women who have served during the Second World War and the many subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping operations since, including the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Follow us on Twitter @BLESMA
For further information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, contact
Bryony Stevens, Media and Communications Assistant
T: 020 8590 1124
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