UPDATE - it took 14 hours and 45 minutes but we completed the event last month and our limbs weren't as weary as I thought they would be in the end ( although very happy for it to be over!).  The weather didn't allow for the views from the munros, and the rain came down hard on the final leg, but it was an amazing experience and one I hope to drag Alan kicking and screaming to at some point in the future......Roll on Highland 100, dreading the off road though. I'd rather swim Loch Tay again!  Thanks for all the incredible support for us both.

To start, let me clear up the confusion we have already created by trying to be clever and have one fund raising page - we're actually doing two events; the Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon which takes place on 10 July and the Artemis Highland 100 which is two months later on 11 September.  Two events for the price of one!  I say we, but I also have to explain that - we are indeed both doing the Highland 100,  and Ailsa is doing all four events in the Quadrathlon ... swimming across Loch Tay, climbing seven munroes, kayaking seven or so miles down the loch then cycling the 35 miles around it.  I am doing the two easy events, the swim and the cycle.  I have my reasons for not doing all four events: laziness and old age.  Look, if I said I was going to swim across Loch Tay then cycle round it you'd surely be impressed.  Unfortunately, I stand in the shadow of greatness/madness.

So personal gratification aside, the reason we are doing these events is to raise cash for charity.  Monies raised for the Quadrathlon event are being donated to Mercy Corps, an international aid agency which helps fight poverty and oppression in third world countries.  Cancer Research UK and CHAS (Children's Hospice Association Scotland) will benefit from the funds raised from the Highland 100 event.

We are all too aware that it is difficult, particularly in the current climate, to keep giving to charity.  However, if you can make any sort of donation then it will be much appreciated not only by us, but the Charities we have mentioned above.  We intend to split any donations equally between the two events but if you do have a preference then please let us know.

Your donation is greatly appreciated.

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