Three men cover Scotland in six days in three disciplines
On Sunday, three proud men will take on the challenge of a lifetime. Epic 2012 is a completely unique and bespoke event, designed to test the stamina, will power and sheer determination of the three men involved and push them to their limits.
Epic 2012 will see Greg McEwan (31), Garry MacKay (36) and Lee Peyton (35), use three Olympic disciplines over six days to cover a journey from Gallie Craig to John O’Groats in order to raise funds for Yorkhill Children’s Foundation.
All three men will set off on the 427 mile trip on Sunday morning starting with a 120 mile cycle, stopping off at Yorkhill Children’s Hospital on the way, in order to see some of the children who will benefit from the £60,000 they hope to raise. The rest of the journey will include RUNNING the West Highland Way, CLIMBING Ben Nevis and KAYAKING the Great Glen then finishing off with another CYCLE from Inverness to John O’Groats.
Six days to complete such a journey will take an EPIC effort, but the one thing the guys don’t lack is dedication, will power, gritty determination and pure mental strength.
“It is going to be a sensational journey for the three of us. I have no doubt that there will be many highs as well as a few lows but we are all focussed on getting through the six days and raising as much money as we can for a great cause. It’s been a long time in the making but the time has now arrived and we are ready to deliver.” said Greg.
The money raised will go to Yorkhill Children’s Foundation to help the orthopaedic surgery service in Yorkhill Hospital. The orthopaedic department deals with a huge variety of cases, from limb lengthening and straightening, reconstructive surgery for congenital disabilities, cerebral palsy related conditions and trauma. With thanks to EPIC 2012 Yorkhill Children’s Foundation would like to fund two sets of Jet-X Fixators which will be used to treat around 10 trauma cases every year.
The kit pins broken bones in place following a trauma such as a bad fall or a road traffic accident, and allows them to knit together and heal. It can be used on any limb but also on the pelvis. Trauma to the pelvis can often be potentially life-threatening due to the huge numbers of blood vessels involved and the Jet-X Fixator system can hold a shattered pelvis in place and protect these vital blood supplies. The department currently has an older system in use but this is not suitable for their complex requirements and doesn’t work on pelvises. They have a short-term loan of a Jet-X Fixator kit so they know how useful it can be.
David Welch, Yorkhill Children’s Foundation’s Head of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications said “Our supporters often come up with all sorts of interesting ways to help raise vital funds for Yorkhill Hospital and related facilities but this has to be one of the most challenging yet. Every penny the boys raise will go a long way towards helping sick children from all over Scotland who are treated at the orthopaedic department at Yorkhill Hospital. We are extremely grateful to Greg, Garry and Lee for taking on such a massive challenge and wish them all the best in reaching their fundraising target.”
The official launch happened at Yorkhill Children’s Hospital this morning, with a variety of celebrities turning out in force to support the boys on their journey.
Each person has had some form of involvement with the challenge, whether this be through promotion of the event, helping the boys train or by participating in the fundraising dinner which will take place at the Glasgow Hilton on the 30th June – one week after the challenge finishes.
Garry Spence from Capital FM said “We’re massively inspired by what the guys are doing. Completing the West Highland Way itself is a massive challenge, but to run it is exceptional. We at Capital FM offer the guys all our support, and can’t wait to see the money rolling in for the challenge”
Edward Reid will be performing at the Charity Dinner, and mentioned “I get out of puff tying my shoelace, so the guys doing something so Epic is completely unbelievable. There are so many charities out there, but for the boys to do this for Yorkhill is outstanding”.
Stephen Woods, Celtic Goalkeeping Coach added “It’s such a well named challenge. For them to do something Epic for such a worthwhile cause is just brilliant. I’ll be watching with interest on Twitter and through the website to see how they are doing while they are away and may even try and join them along the way.”
For more information on the challenge and fundraising dinner, either email epic@materialmc.co.uk or call 0141 204 7970.
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/epic2012
Follow the challenge at the following:
Web: www.epic2012.org – where there will be a spot tracker showing progress.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/2012EPIC
Twitter: @Epic2012
