Total Warrior, the pinnacle of obstacle course racing in the UK, has agreed a new charity partnership with Royal Caledonian Education Trust, Scotland’s armed forces children’s charity…
The extreme event, which promises participants “30 punishing obstacles and one free beer” is returning to Balgone Estate in East Lothian on 16th and 17th September for its third annual Scottish event. This year, the event will work alongside four official charity partners, each of which will aim to raise several thousand pounds for their respective causes.
Based in Edinburgh, the Royal Caledonian Education Trust (RCET) provides vital grant funding to children from veteran and armed forces families who are struggling to make ends meet, or living with mental health issues, ill health and disability. The grants help to cover the cost of school clothing, after-school activities, and school trips.
The charity also provides educational resources and training to help teachers and other professionals recognise and support children and young people experiencing difficulties in school – particularly due to frequent mobility and during times when a parent is deployed away from home.
The partnership announced today will see at least 50 RCET fundraisers take on Total Warrior’s physical and mental challenge of 30 obstacles – including fire, ice, electricity, and mountains of mud – over a 10km course.
Matthew Middler, fundraising manager for RCET, said: “Having a parent in the Armed Forces can be really tough for some children. Forces kids may go to more than four or five schools due to relocation of a serving parent, sometimes to different countries. Making new friends and keeping on top of school work can be tough. For others it can be hard putting on a brave face whilst worrying about mum or dad on deployment.
“At RCET, we support hundreds of children each year and reach hundreds more through research, training and support materials. If you believe no child should be at a disadvantage because their parent has served our country, then come and take on Total Warrior in aid of RCET and help us to help them.”
Captain Dave Branney, Unit Welfare Officer, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, said: “Having a young family while serving can be a real challenge sometimes, so when I heard RCET were partnering with Total Warrior I signed up to take part and raise funds. I’m hoping to get more of the crew here at Leuchars signed up as well.”
More than 4,500 participants are expected to descend upon North Berwick this year, raising tens of thousands of pounds for a range of charities. For the first time, this year’s event will feature a ‘Junior Warrior’ course designed specifically for primary school-aged children, as well as an ‘Ultra Warrior’ endurance challenge, where participants will attempt to complete as many 10km laps of the course as they can within a five hour time limit.
David Gaffney, race director for Total Warrior, said: “We’re delighted to be working with RCET for the first time this year and look forward to helping them raise as much money as possible for what is a very worthy cause. 2017 is shaping up to be our most effective year for charitable giving yet and we’ll be announcing more charity partners within the next few weeks.”
If you’d like to take on Total Warrior and help raise vital funds for the RCET, please visitwww.rcet.org.uk for more information.