The Hebridean Challenge... 6 days of unsupported adventure racing across the wildest parts of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Just about any form of human power can be employed to traverse the extremes of this beautiful yet unforgiving terrain but kayak, mountain bike, road bike and the good old fashioned arts of swimming and hill running are the main methods of covering the approximate 750km.

The event takes place between 4th - to - 9th July 2010  and the five intrepid (or possibly painfully naive) members of our team are: Angela Heeley, Daniele Saita, David Thomson, Thomas Fraser and myself, James Hamilton.

  Angela Heeley

    Daniele Saita

Physically and logistically there are plenty of mountains to climb. For example, in recent years the run sections alone have covered 170km and 10,000m height gain over the 6 days. The kit list would make most outdoor store’s order catalogue look pretty spartan and includes two mountain bikes, two road bikes, a racing sea kayak, racing wetsuits, a library of maps and a van load of survival and camping gear.

Having “all the gear and no idea” won’t be enough to complete the race. Finding your way home from the pub after last orders will not replicate navigating across the ridges of the Cuillin Mountains, although it has been as good a place as any to start for some team members! Innovation and strategic decision making are all part of saving time in the race as the route is not cast in stone. In fact, whether it’s possible to circumnavigate Hebridean bogs all week remains pretty doubtful.

It all sounds a formidable but incredible experience, especially as we are all adventure racing “rookies”. However, we’re hoping to find motivation in a bit more than energy gels, bloody mindedness and a swarm of midges bearing down on us.

One of the major reasons for all this Scottish foolhardiness is to help fund, in a small way, the development of clinical trials to repair damaged spinal tissue. This in turn could restore limb function in paralysed patients or even give voluntary control of breathing again to patients with very high spinal injuries.

Trust PA is a charity which strives to help accomplish this aim of making spinal injury treatable rather than a precursor to a lifetime of dependence or palliative care. The charity was established in 2002 in memory of Paul-Andre Blundell who sadly died from complications of a spinal cord injury sustained whilst playing rugby.

 Paul-Andre (PA) & James (shades) 

“PA” was a close friend of mine from the age of 11 until his death aged 26. He was a gifted sportsman with exceptional drive and endurance and his natural charisma motivated those around him, whatever the situation.

His athleticism combined well with a love of the outdoors and on a holiday with friends on the north-west coast of Scotland in 2001 we spent some time gazing across at the Isle of Skye and the Hebrides.

The Hebridean Challenge therefore, with its demands for extreme tenacity and team camaraderie, seemed to me to be the perfect tribute to PA as a means of raising money for the charity in his name.

PA & James

Thank you to all those who have helped us on the way so far, whether financially or in terms of encouragement and logistical support.

Any contributions you feel you can make to Trust PA will be gratefully received and give us a lift during training and racing. Spinal injury is an ever present threat in all walks of life including horse riding, motor sport, skiing and all the disciplines of “The Heb”. There is no reason that life should not be lived to the full but the average age of patients with spinal cord injuries is 19 and with help from Trust PA there is a real possibility that these patients could be given back a life of independence.

Please look at www.trustpa.org and www.hebrideanchallenge.com to fully appreciate why we’re doing this and what is going to hit us in July 2010!

We are thrilled that James and his gallant pals have taken on this gruelling task. Please make the pain worthwhile by following the link

      to donate JUST CLICK - HERE

The good news is Gift Aid your kind donation and Mr Brown will help too!

Thank you

James

To View the Hebridean Challenge Gallery please CLICK - HERE