Balfour Beatty entered into it's centenary year in January of this year. To celebrate this milestone in the companies history, it has put a new charitable partnership in place to fund projects that will help raise the aspirations, motivation and quality of life amongst young people suffering from disadvantage.

 

Building Better Futures has it's own charitable status and is managed by a partnership between Balfour Beatty plc, The Prince's Trust and Action for Children (formerly NCH). In addition to a selection of community projects proposed by Balfour Beatty companies outside the UK, the money raised will fund:

 

The Prince's Trust's Community Cash Awards which provide disadvantaged young people with the financial and pratical support they need to turn their ideas into reality, so they can give something back to their community.

 

Action for Children's commitment to providing disabled children with the same opportunities for fun and personal development as their non-disabled peers through outdoor accessible play areas.

 

Important note: Balfour Beatty will contribute £ for £ for all money raised.....so please dig deep!

 

 

What's involved?

It's a 7-day walk starting Saturday 12 and completed Friday 18 September.

 

We will be walking from Fort William on the West Coast of Scotland to Montrose on the East Coast. The walk links the natural water courses that cross Scotland combining quiet back roads and isolated valleys and passes. Appropriately in this centenary year it also connects the Lochaber District, location of the 1926 Lochaber Water Power Scheme, to the east of Scotland an area with close associations with the Balfour name and George Balfour’s early working life in Dundee.

 

It’s a 148 mile walk, averaging walking 8-9 hours a day covering approximately 22 miles

 

To achieve days of approx equal length the back up van will be met at strategic locations. Each days walk will begin where we finished the night before .

 

Day 1 – After dipping our toes in the water on the west coast we start in the shadow of Ben Nevis heading up Glen Nevis then head out into the wilderness for an overnight stay at Corrour halt on the west highland line (no vehicular access).

 

Day 2 –  From Corrour halt we head south east to Loch Rannoch and follow the glen to Kinloch Rannoch

 

Day 3 – Kinloch Rannoch to Blair Atholl. Continue down the glen to Loch Tummel then over Tay Forest Park to Blair Atholl

 

Day 4 – Blair Atholl to Linn of Dee near Braemar following the famous classic crossing through Glen Tilt to White Bridge and the Linn of Dee along the southern boundary of the Cairngorms

 

Day 5 – The toughest day of the walk from Linn of Dee to Glen Clova over another classic crossing by the drovers route “Jocks Road” to Glen Doll climbing to 920m and surrounded by Scottish Munros.

 

Day 6 –  We will walk the length of Glen Clova then heading towards Montrose by crossing higher ground to the small village of Fern.

 

Day 7 – Fern to Montrose – a nice flat day and the shortest of the trip (only 19 miles) with a lunch stop in Brechin - homeward bound!

 

Arrive back home Saturday

 

·          Key figures (approx)

Mileage - 148 Miles

Ascent (ft) - 14430

Descent (ft) - 14430

(Sea level to sea level)

 

Sponsors:   

T-shirts – 1A Seals Systems Ltd

Minibus – Moortown

Driver and accommodation – Elliott Thomas

Food and drinks – McGills

  

We have each followed our own personal training regime interrupted by various injuries but the team have pulled through and have come together for team sessions over 2 weekends to help our physical and mental preparation

JUNE Yorkshire Dales – Day 1 Horton in Ribblesdale to Malham 18 miles. Day 2 the return walk taking in Penyghent one of the Yorkshire 3 peaks 15 miles – 2 days of beautiful sunshine

JULY Derbyshire Dales (peak District) -   Day 1 Ladybower and the Stanage and Burbar edges 22 miles. Day 2 the “Edale skyline” walk including Kinder Scout and Mam Tor 20 miles. 2 days of rain with a few peat bogs thrown in.

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So please dig deep and donate now.

Remember, for every £1 we raise, Balfour Beatty will give another £1