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The Highland Cross

The Highland Cross is a  50-mile duathlon (20 miles on foot, 30 miles on bike) traversing the spectacular Scottish Highlands coast to coast, west to east from Kintail through Glen Affric and Strathglass to Beauly.

Highland Cross exists to raise money for causes that benefit the people of Highland, disadvantaged by disability, ill health or social need.

Entry to the Highland Cross is by invitation only for 265 teams of 3 (795 persons) of all athletic abilities; walkers, joggers, runners and cyclists. Teams must pledge to raise a minimum of £500 in sponsorship for the charities nominated by Highland Cross.  Charities interested in becoming beneficiaries from Highland Cross should consult the "Charities" page and fully examine the funding conditions before applying.

NOTE TO CHARITIES

Charities are reminded that 30^th September 2017 is the new deadline to apply to either become principal benefiting charities from Highland Cross 2018 or apply for a small donation from any surplus arising from this year’s event.  See “CHARITIES” section above to download an application form.

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HIGHLAND CROSS 2018 – Saturday 23^rd June

SORRY – THE LIST TO RECEIVE APPLICATION FORMS FOR HIGHLAND CROSS 2018 IS NOW CLOSED.

From the replies received from 2017 competitors, unsuccessful applications from previous years and new applications, we are again oversubscribed.  We received a large number of e-mails on 1st September requesting that their names be added to the list to receive an application form at the end of January and we already have well over 330 requests for the 265 teams available.  If everyone returns their completed forms in February, we will again be involved in balloting. 

All applications received up to 12 noon on 1st September have been added to the list and acknowledged.

The Organisers apologise to anyone who wished to add their name to the list but can only suggest that if they are interested in Highland Cross 2019, they mark 3rd September 2018 in their diary as the date to register for an application form for 2019.

Highland Cross 2017

Highland Cross 2017 took place on Saturday 17 June 2017.  Click here for all the results.

Photography from Highland Cross 2017 is now available.:

• Click here to view photographs by Rob McConnell

• Click here to view photographs by David Stewart

Highland Cross congratulates Crossroads Skye and Lochalsh

Highland Cross is extremely proud to have assisted the wonderful team at Crossroads Skye and Lochalsh with funding in the past and is grateful to them and to their Manager, Jenny Millington, for having staffed the Lichdt House Water Point in past years.

It has just been announced that that for the SEVENTH year running they have achieved the highest possible score in their Care Commission unannounced inspection. This is a remarkable testament to the commitment of everybody involved in this wonderful service but especially to Jenny Millington and her team who deliver such a much needed service in the remote communities of Skye and Lochalsh.

Highland Cross is proud to be associated with such a wonderful causes and those of you who fundraise for the event and work to make it happen can see the quality of the organisations that your efforts support.

For more on this see:

http://www.whfp.com/2017/07/05/glowing-inspection-report-for-excellent-crossroads-care/

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Special Endeavour Trophy Winner 2017 - Ian Stewart 

For those competitors who attended the Presentation on Saturday 17^th June, they have already heard a summary of why Ian Stewart was chosen for the Special Endeavour Trophy for 2017.  Here is a summary, written by Ian’s wife Shelagh, of the events since 2015 and why the Organisers believe that Ian was a suitable candidate for the award.

21 June 2015

Ian comes off bike 13 miles from finish. He doesn't really remember getting back on the bike and his first recollection is 6 miles later on trying to cycle up the Aigas hill with everyone going faster than him. He finishes race but crossing the line Calum spots he doesn't look too great, paramedics immediately check him over - just a sore neck, not another scratch on him. They don't think it can be too serious because he managed to cycle so far. As a precaution they brace his neck and take him to Raigmore. 

X-ray and scans shows it's very serious -  C1, C2 vertebrae are shattered and a spinal artery is severed.  There's an associated risk of paralyses or death but surprisingly he still had full feeling and movement in all limbs. On the plus side the multiple fractures are proven to be 'stable' because he managed to cycle with them for 13 miles. 

Over the next few weeks he goes from head blocks in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to a halo brace making him look like a hat rack but at least he can move about. The surgery options are a bit risky but they're the only ones that would provide the support for his active lifestyle. All along Calum from the Cross was phoning for updates on Ian's condition. Finally a surgery date is set with a great neurosurgeon Mr Alakandy at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Glasgow. The surgery goes well and his neck is fastened with 4 bolts and pins. After 3 months in the halo, he's into a neck collar and 6 weeks after in December he tentatively starts running and goes back on the Skye Mountain rescue team call out list.
 
He ran the Skye half marathon in June 2016, only a year after the accident. Although easily fit enough to do the cross again his family was not emotionally ready for that!

We had a happy ending, but all that time in hospital you see that for so many others, many of them young, some with young families, it is not like that. And even in a case like Ian's, if luck is not on your side, the outcome can be catastrophic. Good fortune is never to be taken for granted.

Our own good fortune was entirely due to the highland X paramedics, staff and surgeons at Raigmore, Aberdeen and Glasgow. To be part of what must be the most important charity event in the Highlands one more time is a tribute to the systems, communication and all staff of the NHS. This, and support from Calum and the Highland Cross organisers, and all friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues at Sitekit on Skye made the whole experience very positive! We cannot thank everyone enough for their support.

Lost Property
One of our competitors is looking for help in finding a lost item – a custom built bicycle wheel with a black rim, H Plus Son on the rim in white lettering.  Please let us know if you have this by mistake.

We now have a number of items of lost property and perhaps you can get in touch with us should you be missing any of the following:

• Animal Black/Grey striped rucksack with women’s navy/red/green trainers size 7

• Grey/black Trepass Airtrap fleece (L)

• Carrier with yellow trainers and blue children’s Dare2b zipper top

• 1 Garmin watch

• Pair of tortoiseshell glasses

• Pair of Serelo sunglasses

• Pair of BTwin clear cycling glasses

• Black/red/white NorthSport Photography waterproof (XL)

• Cash

Please telephone us on 07729 892 702 or email us on info@highlandcross.co.uk – these items have now been transferred to Redwood, 19 Culduthel Road, Inverness, IV2 4AA.

Miriam Campbell

Highland Cross is deeply saddened to announce the death of Miss Miriam Campbell of Beauly.  Miriam has been a stalwart supporter of Highland Cross since it was invited to place its Finish in Beauly 34 years ago. Along with her sister, Catriona, she organised the collaboration of Ladies Groups who continue to supply the meal to participants in the Phipps Hall.  Her brother James is the Highland Cross’s Beauly Organiser.

Miriam was the epitome of a Highland lady and was deeply committed to her family and to the well being of her community. Her death is a sore loss for all who knew and cared for her.  Highland Cross will be represented at her funeral in Beauly on Wednesday 7^th June.

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Freedom of Beauly and the Glens Award

Highland Cross were delighted to be amongst the organisations supporting the award of the "Freedom of Beauly and the Glens" to the Campbell family from Beauly.  James Campbell was instrumental in arranging for the second event to switch its finish from Inverness to Beauly.

Beauly is in many ways the spiritual home of Highland Cross! James has been the Beauly Organiser for the Cross for the last 34 years and his sisters Miriam and Catriona have been key workers in organising the Beauly ladies' organisations to provide the finish meal for the participants.  As well as their work for the Cross the family has worked tirelessly for the betterment of Beauly and contributed hugely to community and business life.

Highland Cross was represented at the Freedom Ceremony by Calum Munro who was also asked to act as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

HIGHLAND CROSS 2016 - Yet another record year for Highland Cross fundraising!

The record figure raised in 2015 from Highland Cross participants was £261,290 but this has been surpassed by Highland Cross 2016 competitors who have shattered the previous record by raising a superb total of  £277,189!

This now means that Highland Cross has raised over £4.4million over the 34 years of the event.

 On 24 November 2016 the 6 principal charities received presentations:

• The Archie Foundation received £40,000 to fit out the High Dependency Unit at the Children’s Unit at Raigmore Hospital making a total of £80,000 given to the Children’s Unit in recent years by Highland Cross.

• SOAR Youth Projects in Ross-shire received two specially adapted minibuses.

• Inverness Voluntary Transport Scheme received a new vehicle.

• Highland BlindCraft received a new vehicle for their fundraising workshop and sales division.

• Blythswood Care received a new vehicle for their food bank operation.

• Birchwood Highland received funding to build a sun lounge for their residential care facility.

In addition to the primary causes, the participants’ success will also allow some smaller grants to be distributed to charities across Highland over the next month.  The Organisers would once again like to thank competitors, sponsors and volunteers for their continued support of Highland Cross.

Top Fundraising Teams of 2016