A Highland veterinary clinic has peaked in their fundraising efforts after scaling a Munro in aid of the Scottish Mountain Rescue Team.
The team of 13 members of staff from Culloden Veterinary Clinic made the 3,432ft assent up Ben Wyvis in Easter Ross with their beloved dogs.
The fundraising venture was initially thought up by receptionist Lisa Pasieka, 29, through her own love of walking with her Border Collie Ted.
She said: “We had a fantastic day going up the mountain. The weather was just brilliant. We would get to a bit and we thought we have reached the top, but no we hadn’t. That happened a few times.
“The dogs managed it fantastically. The chiwawas climbed all the way to the top and then all the way down again.
“One person had to turn back but in general it was good just getting up there as a team. It’s the sense of achievement, going up a mountain for the first time. It’s a great achievement and I have definitely got the bug for it.
“The best part was getting to the top and seeing all the fantastic views. It was well worth it for the beautiful scenery.”
A Justgiving page was initially set up by the clinic on Keppoch Road, with a target to raise £600 for the Scottish Mountain Rescue Teams. However, following their efforts, they exceeded their expectations by more than £160.
She added: “We had a target of £600 but we have raised £761.50 so we have gone above our total which is really good.
“We are feeling really pleased that we have raised over our target and that our clients and company’s really got behind us and helped us in reaching our target; it’s a fantastic feeling.
“We will maybe do something like this in the future again.”
Vice-chairman of the Scottish Mountain Rescue, Kev Mitchell, said: “Scottish Mountain Rescue is pleased to congratulate the staff and puppies from Culloden Veterinary Clinic on their fundraising climb up Ben Wyvis.
“Scottish Mountain Rescue support 23 mountain rescue teams all across Scotland who are on call 24/7, 365 days of the year and are literally ‘Volunteering to save lifes’.
“Culloden Veterinary Clinics donation will help us support teams and we are very grateful for their efforts which much appreciated by all of us.”
