A host of celebrities pitted their skills against the people of the north-east yesterday during an annual fundraiser.
The Sandpiper Trust provides medical equipment for doctors and nurses in remote, rural areas of Scotland, and each year adds to the number of kit bags it provides by holding a day of sporting challenges.
This year, trust patron and former Scotland rugby star Gavin Hastings, Olympic medallist Katherine Grainger, Banchory Olympian Ben Kilner and television presenter Sarah Mack went against 21 other teams in pigeon shooting, golf and brown trout fishing competitions on the Dunecht Estate.
Organisers hope the event will raise £100,000.
After the sporting challenges, participants saw firsthand how a helicopter search and rescue crew would winch a patient to safety during an emergency call-out.
Claire Maitland, who set up the charity with her family after her 14-year-old nephew Sandy Dickson drowned on holiday in a remote part of Canada, said the demonstration further highlighted the vital work emergency services do and why it was important to equip rural medics with life-saving support.
Mrs Maitland, of Crathes, near Banchory, said: “There’s nothing more important than saving someone’s life and thanks to the fundraising support we’ve received in the past, there are now over 900 Sandpiper bags containing vital life-saving equipment, with 140 fully-training emergency responders across the breadth of Scotland.
“Last year we were able to mobilise a specially-equipped vehicle in Aberdeen to assist with all manner of emergencies. It’s so important for us to continue to raise the profile of the charity in order we can help save more lives across Scotland.”
Participants also enjoyed a champagne reception, dinner, auction and entertainment by magician David Penn at Dunecht House.