A war veteran seriously injured in Afghanistan has challenged walkers to take on a “very special” charity fundraiser on the Queen’s Balmoral estate.
The monarch has opened up the grounds of her summer residence to help raise money to support vulnerable ex-forces personnel.
Up to 100 teams of four will tackle three challenging Cairngorms courses in aid of Walking With The Wounded on Armed Forces Day in June 2017.
Each will be helping a different veteran regain their independence and reintegrate into society.
Among those taking part will be Duncan Slater, who had both his legs amputated after being blown up by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.
The Inverness-born former RAF Regiment sergeant – who in 2013 reached the South Pole on skis for the charity alongside Prince Harry – helped devise the routes for the next summer’s event.
It will be staged a month after he makes a second bid to rewrite the history books by becoming the first double leg amputee to complete the gruelling six-day, 150-mile Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert.
He said: “The area is stunning and finishing in front of the castle is very special. It will be a great way for people to show their support for our veterans and have a really memorable experience at the same time.”
Full details of the routes are yet to be revealed but the toughest will be the 20.5-mile “Triple Crown” adult race, taking in three Munros.
The Prince’s Stone challenge will test strategic thinking – and teams can include competitors aged 16-18.
And the Cairn Chaser takes family teams – including children aged at least 12 – on an exploration of the hillsides overlooking Balmoral Castle.
Ed Parker, the ex-Army officer who co-founded Walking With The Wounded when his nephew lost both legs in Afghanistan, said the charity felt “very honoured to have this wonderful opportunity”.
He said: “We hope this challenge will inspire more people to come and meet our beneficiaries, be inspired by their determination despite adversity and to test themselves and their teams in the hills for a very worthy cause.”
Entries are now open via the charity’s website at wwtw.org.uk – with a reduced fee of £200 per team signing up by September 30.
It will rise to £250 from October 1, £275 from February 11 and £300 from March 13 – and teams of serving military personnel will enjoy a 50% discount.
To find out more, visit www.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/support-the-walk/wwtw-events/balmoral-challenge/
