AGRICULTURAL charity RSABI is delighted to announce its flagship annual outdoors team event, the Great Glen Challenge, will this year be sponsored by expert legal advisors to the rural sector, Gillespie Macandrew.

Last year’s event raised over £42,000 to support the work of RSABI which provides practical, emotional and financial support to people in Scottish agriculture. As well as offering an event with a unique team-building spirit, the Great Glen Challenge also highlights the importance of fitness in maintaining good physical and mental health.

To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week (May 15 to May 21), the charity is launching its annual drive for teams to sign up to this year’s Great Glen Challenge to help raise awareness of the vital services it provides, including its 24/7 Helpline. Nine out of 10 calls RSABI receives to its Helpline – 0808 1234 555 – now involve emotional support, and demand for its counselling services has trebled during the past year.

The Great Glen Challenge 2023 will take place on Friday, August 25, when competing teams of four plus a support driver will take on the multi-sports race, with four designated stages set out between Fort Augustus and Fort William, covering a scenic 49km route.

Competitors will cycle, kayak, walk, and run to a prize-giving reception at Neptune’s Staircase, located at the end of the route, with the designated driver picking up and dropping off fellow team members at various locations along the Great Glen Way.

Consisting of a 49km mountain bike, 6km kayak, 18km walk, and 17km run, the event is designed to challenge teams, encouraging dedication and teamwork from the onset of training up until the day of the event.

After competing in the 2022 Great Glen Challenge, Gillespie Macandrew has signed up as this year’s overall event sponsor and will also have two of their own teams competing in the event.

READ MORE: Teams get ready to take on RSABI’s Great Glen Challenge

The firm, with offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, advises clients across Scotland and the UK on all areas of land and rural business, private client, commercial real estate, energy, tax and disputes, combining a personal approach with industry-leading expertise.

Lois Newton, partner of land and rural business at Gillespie Macandrew, said: “The Great Glen Challenge is a fantastic team event, showcasing Scotland’s beautiful landscape and the excellent work of RSABI. The Gillespie Macandrew team has significant experience of the challenges of working in the rural sector and we are proud to support the efforts of RSABI in providing assistance.”

RSABI chief executive, Carol McLaren, said: “We’re delighted to bring this highly anticipated event back once again. Now in its 11th year, the event is very popular and our thanks go to all those who have taken part in the past and everyone signing up this year. The 2023 challenge wouldn’t be possible without the generous sponsorship of Gillespie Macandrew who we are looking forward to collaborating with to produce yet another successful event. Longstanding supporters of RSABI, Gillespie Macandrew are leading the way with two teams already signed up to take part and we are grateful for their commitment. Our thanks also to the volunteers who help us run the event and to our media partners, The Scottish Farmer.”

Entries to the Great Glen challenge are now open. Teams can be submitted by completing the Sign-Up form which is available on the RSABI event page: www.rsabi.org.uk/event/rsabi-great-glen-challenge-2023/