Kat's Story: On Sunday, 10th May, I’ll be taking on something well outside my comfort zone - the Race to the Base Trail Half Marathon in the Scottish Highlands.

This isn’t just any half-marathon. It’s often described as one of the toughest half marathons in Scotland, covering 13.1 miles of rugged trail through Culag Woods Forest, mud, hills, unpredictable Highland weather, and finishing at Loch na Gainimh at the base of the iconic Suilven mountain. I’m very much not a runner (…getting there), but I have been training in all conditions and committed to doing my absolute best.

This challenge is also personal. After being told I would likely never compete in weightlifting again and shouldn’t lift heavy, I turned to running instead (even with advice to take it easy). Running has helped my mental health more than I ever expected and has shown me that setbacks don’t mean the end. They just mean finding a different way forward. It’s taught me that I can still do hard things.

That mindset is exactly why I’m raising money for Friends of Roxburghe House Grampian. The strength, resilience, and courage shown every day by the patients, families, and staff at Roxburghe House is truly inspiring. The care provided there goes far beyond medical support. It offers comfort, dignity, and compassion when it’s needed most. The staff and facilities are not only vital but genuinely wonderful.

As tough as this race will be, it’s nothing compared to the challenges faced by those cared for at Roxburghe House, and the loved ones beside them. Every donation, no matter how small, helps make a real difference and supports this incredible service.

Thank you so much for any support, encouragement, or donation ❤️

Sam's story:

I will be taking on Race to the Base, a demanding but breathtaking 13.1 mile trail half marathon through the Scottish Highlands. The route winds from Lochinver through rugged forest paths and remote landscapes, finishing at the foot of the iconic Suilven mountain. It’s a race known for its harsh contrast between beauty and brutality.

I’ve never been the stereotypical athletic type, more of a casual runner, so this will put me well outside my comfort zone. However, it isn’t enough to just push myself to do such a challenging race, but to use this motivation to raise money for an incredible cause.

I’m running this challenge to raise money for a charity that means a great deal to me: Friends of Roxburghe House. Roxburghe House is an end-of-life home providing specialist care to people who are diagnosed with terminal illnesses. I have first hand seen the care provided and been lucky enough to spend time with the exceptional staff at Roxburghe House, the staff and facilities are nothing short of incredible. Their compassion, dignity, and dedication make an enormous difference to people facing some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Friends of Roxburghe House Grampian are responsible for running and helping to fund vital services at Roxburghe, enhance patient comfort, and support families when they need it most. Every donation helps them continue offering the exceptional care I’ve witnessed myself.

How You Can Help:

If you’re able to donate, you’ll be supporting both me and the incredible work of Roxburghe House. Every contribution, no matter the size, genuinely helps. Below is a Link that will take you to our fundraising page. I've also included a link for the race so you can see what we’re getting ourselves into!

Thank you in advance for any donations big or small and for taking the time out of your day to read and support this challenge!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.