Kayaker Nick Ray completes grueling Scottish Islands Peaks Challenge
Intrepid adventurer and kayaker Nick Ray has just completed the Scottish Islands Peaks Challenge to raise funds to support casualty care training for Tobermory RNLI.
Nick, a volunteer fundraiser and Deputy Launching Authority for Tobermory lifeboat station, battled strong winds, heavy rain and difficult sea conditions to complete the challenge, a solo sea kayak journey of 290km from Oban to Troon, including climbing the island peaks of Ben More on Mull, the Paps on the Isle of Jura and Goat Fell on Arran. At one point the weather forecast was so poor that Nick was forced to abandon plans to kayak around the Mull of Kintyre and instead had to carry his kayak and camping gear on foot for 30km from West Loch Tarbert to Loch Fyne in order to reach Arran and the final island peak of his mission.
Nick is a highly experienced sea kayaker and in 2015 he kayaked around the Scottish coastline visiting all 47 lifeboat stations, a journey of more than 2000 miles, raising more than £4000 for the charity which saves lives at sea in the process.
Tobermory RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Dr Sam Jones said: ‘In normal conditions, this would have been a tremendous achievement in itself but to complete this challenge in relentless rain, strong winds and difficult seas is a real tribute to Nick’s commitment, tenacity and sheer grit. All of us at the station are hugely grateful for Nick’s efforts to support casualty care training for our volunteer crew.’
Nick has raised just under £2000 to enable Tobermory RNLI to purchase a sophisticated mannequin to practise CPR and other lifesaving skills on during casualty care training. He is less than £150 short of his target and you can still make a donation via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/n-ray.
Notes to editors
For further information, please contact Dr Sam Jones, Tobermory RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, via [email protected]
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