Tarry Ile Terrific Charity Trekkers

A chance discussion about the Great Wilderness Challenge in Poolewe and Aultbea on the West Coast of Scotland six years ago between Peter Logie, CLIC Sargent’s Community Fundraising Manager and Sadie Tracey, owner of the Tarry Ile in Inverness, has led to a relationship with CLIC Sargent and involvement in the Challenge that neither would have anticipated.

Over the last five years a team of 12 to 16 intrepid walkers from the Bar in King Street, Inverness have had a weekend away on the West Coast in August, bitten by midges, battling the bogs, gaining various aches and pains, but also having a terrific time, gaining many new friends from the hotels they have stayed in and raising exceptional amounts for CLIC Sargent.

Last February Peter Logie called there with Evelyn Stewart, the CLIC Sargent Care Professional from Raigmore who supports Highland families, to present Sadie and her team of stalwarts with a framed Great Wilderness T Shirt recognising the £34,000 that the Bar has raised, which has been upped to £57,000 by the generosity of the Challenge organisers over the last 5 years.

“The Tarry Ile Trekkers have become a legend with the Great Wilderness Challenge and as fundraisers for the Charity” Peter commented, “they may not be first past the post on the day but they certainly are in terms of their support for the Charity. We also have some super individual walkers who have given unfailing support over the years”.

Sadie added, “the event is eagerly looked forward to, now with places at a premium. For the first time in 2005 we were able to include our Beauly Firth Cycle Ride as a fundraiser and this has significantly increased the number of regulars who have supported CLIC Sargent”.