Kessock RNLI volunteer crew and friends take on Loch Ness 24

The Loch Ness 24 is an epic 24-hour solo or team relay trail running race on the banks of the world’s most famous loch.

Runners take on the ultimate endurance challenge and clock up as many 7KM laps as they can along the most spectacular trails through ancient Scots Pine forests and along the beaches of Loch Ness.

Entrants were able to enter the race for free by pledging to certain charities, and this year the RNLI was the chosen beneficiary charity.

This year, Kessock RNLI entered 2 teams, joined by 2 crew members running individually in a personal challenge to complete 70km each.

The teams were made up of:

Tom Booth (volunteer helm and trainer), Mark Jarrett (volunteer crew), Allyson Macgregor, Joanna Shephard and Gavin Macpherson.

Yvette Kershaw (Area Lifesaving Manager and volunteer crew), Micky Jones (tractor driver and shore crew), Julie Jones, Janette Randall and Ewan Harper (HM Coastguard)

Dougie Munro (volunteer helm) and Lindsey Randall (volunteer crew) ran as individuals, raising funds by completing 70KM each.

Overall the teams ran 46 laps, totalling 322KM (200 miles) and Dougie and Lindsey managed their 71Km (44 miles)

Dougie Munro, who recently attended the garden party of HRH King Charles to represent Kessock RNLI said: 'The course itself can be quite gruelling. That coupled with probably the wettest day of the year so far made it almost treacherous. I’m still getting some stick for cracking a joke to his Royal Highness about taking the boat to the garden party, but we probably could have utilized it again at Loch Ness 24. Lindsey and I set ourselves a challenge of 70km and we achieved it with the support of our colleagues and team around us. Had it not been for the weather I could have managed a few more!'

Tom Booth said: 'This was my first Loch Ness 24, and despite the weather, it didn’t disappoint. It was a great way to spend the weekend, working and encouraging each other in the team whilst raising vital funds for the RNLI. The weather was awful, but not as bad as Micky’s jokes “

Micky said: 'Julie and I had a fantastic weekend at Loch Ness 24. It was a very well organized event, a demanding course with very demanding weather conditions, but that’s not unusual for a lifeboat crew. It was a great effort by all involved. Just disappointed we didn’t catch a glimpse of Nessie.'

Finally, Yvette Kershaw, Area Lifesaving Manager for the RNLI in the North of Scotland, said: 'The team from Kessock RNLI Lifeboat Station have once again gone above and beyond this year at Loch Ness 24, demonstrating the one crew spirit with teams of boat crew, shore crew, family, friends and fundraisers. A special mention should also go to the remaining volunteer crew who stayed on duty throughout weekend and responded to the pager twice on Sunday”

The fundraising pot sits at just over £4000, with donations still coming in.

Notes to editors

· Kessock lifeboat station has been operating since 1994. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/kessock-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Shane Warde, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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