We are The 500 Milers, a team of bright young engineers looking to support expert aid worker deployment and in-country aid worker training for humanitarian crises around the world via raising funds for the charity RedR. RedR are an organisation that truly embrace the "give a man a finishing net not just a fish" analogy basing their work around building in country human capital.

Our fundraising target is £1000, which we hope to smash with appreciation and generosity of fellow colleagues, loved ones and the general public. As our name suggests, we will be collectively traversing 500 miles for our main fundraising push, and in the spirit of the Proclaimers themselves maybe even "500 more" with the help of you, the reader. To gain the miles we will be cycling between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Forth & Clyde and Union canals on two weekend events at the end of October and the beginning of November (fingers crossed for the weather). We invite anyone who wishes to complete the challenge and raise money for RedR to join us and add to our total.  

If you like what you have read and we have satisfied your curiosity feel free to spare a pound or two. And if you crave more info please see below for more about RedR and The 500 Milers team.

Who are RedR?
          "an international humanitarian NGO which supports aid organisations and other humanitarian actors across the world by developing skills and providing expertise. [RedR] act to ensure disaster-prone communities are resilient by giving them practical life-saving skills, advice and support, which help them prepare for, respond to and recover from natural and man-made disasters."
                                                                                                         Redr.org.uk

So, who's on the team?

Simon "The Boss" Williams- The 500 Milers are headed by the boss himself, Simon Williams. Simon works in waste water engineering so can understand the technical challenges associated with liquid waste, drainage and hygiene in the world's crisis areas. He is going to utilise his rigorous organisational skills to lead and project manage this team to maximise fundraising effectiveness.

Ben Kirkham- "Top-Secret-Glass-Box-Encaged" Engineer- hence a very keen traveller. Ben will be using his sporting prowess to lead highly challenging fundraising  excursions.

Blair Fraser- "The Civilian" Engineer- living in civilisation, Blair not only observes but works to build our societies needed infrastructure, such infrastructure which can be so violently lost in crises and natural disasters. As a fit man, we can expect Blair to be at the head of the pack fundraising for RedR.

Catriona MacInnes- "The Electric" Engineer- not only does she talk the talk but without being cliché, she also walks the walk having completed numerous fundraising activities including a half moonwalk (wtf...?). Next she might be taking up cycling in the rain...

Koloyan Sivkov- "Highway Yan"- Highways and other transport infrastructure are typical areas that need our engineering attention in crisis locations to ensure the rest of the relief work can be effective . Working on highways, Yan will ensure that the team and their raised funds are transported safely and efficiently to the necessary destinations.

Robert Fotheringham- "Measurably Radioactive" Engineer- harnessing the power of the nucleus is not exactly Robert's job role, but with people like him in the world we are not all Fukushima-ed (please excuse the pun). He will be going beyond his comfort zone so suffering people can get back to theirs.

Tom Hiorns- "Golden Carrot Chasing" Engineer- he has dreams to save the world but unfortunately he forgets he can't do it all alone. Tom has raised money numerous times for numerous charities and plans to use his experience to maximise team's efforts.

Zofia Korczak- "Technically Safe" Engineer- experienced with putting her body to the test (while being perfectly safe) to raise money for her chosen charities. She WILL be doing it again and the team WILL be completing their risk assessments!

                                                    Stay safe Kids