103 miles of running, cycling and kayaking (track us live here)

This event starts on Saturday 14 September 2019 and we set off from Cawdor’s Castle (Macbeth’s castle for those who read Shakespeare), travelling through the Scottish Highlands and finally ending at Ballachulish. We believe everyone should find ways to give back and this year we’ve decided to set the sight on protecting sealife and marine megafauna (aka big fish like whale sharks, manta rays and humpbacks!).

I have long been interested in water and the ocean. I can’t work out whether its because water tastes so good (especially when you’re thirsty) or because the oceans are less well documented than space. All we know is that it’s very important and we need to protect the areas most vulnerable, quite often some of the most beautiful places on the planet. Some of my favourite moments have been when I’ve been scuba diving and in my adventures, we have come across some incredible animals (literally animals) and organisations who are protecting these natural habitats and species. This really struck during my travels when hearing and seeing stories like this one in the video... and so I wanted to spur up the nature-lover inside you to contribute to positive change t protect against actions like this!

Two great organisations who I’ve had the pleasure to come to know include Lamave (www.lamave.org ) and Wunderpus (http://wunderpusliveaboard.com/ ). We are raising funds to support these the hard working people who choose to live in these far flung locations often working against the tide. These two organisations are supporting research-based initiatives to support change often partnering with the creme de la creme like the National Geographic and WWF to implement local sustainable projects from tagging and monitoring sharks and whales, managing nurseries for turtles, installing mooring lines to protect corals and most importantly writing research for policy changes. Some of the information and data collected supports the efforts you see in documentaries you watch on telly!

I’ll be doing the event with Elliot Hurst who, for those who know him, has always been worries about the day he stops exercising and the future grand shape that he will settle into. All the very best to him but not to worry, I’ll be holding his hand every step, pedal and paddle of the way.

All of the money raised will go to these organisations to support their fantastic, under-funded and planet changing projects. In other words all the costs of doing the event ourselves we have borne ourselves!

Big love from the fishes that you help.

The Bear and Bhudda (aka @Elliot and @Rory)

Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines (LAMAVE) is the largest independent non-stock non-government organization dedicated to the conservation of marine megafauna and the marine environment in the Philippines. We strive for conservation through scientific research, policy and education.

Wunderpus is the number one operator in the Komodo Islands, a paradise for sealife and corals. A British-led organisation, is working in partnership with local authorities and the UN to help create awareness, drive conservation of and implement long term sustainable initiatives in the Komodo Dragon Islands region.