It is renowned as one of the most gruelling events in the Scottish sporting calendar, attracting hundreds of participants.
And now, the impressive total raised for charities by the 2019 Highland Cross has been revealed.
Treasurer John Fraser said: “The total raised by competitors this year of £286,121 has amazed us. Over the 37 years Highland Cross has now given charities over £5.3 million.”
“Across the board the average raised by teams was over £1,000 and the appreciation shown by fundraisers of the support given to them during the event by volunteers and the Highland Community was immense.
“Highland Cross’s philosophy continues to be that of ensuring that every penny of sponsorship funds goes to Highland Charities as the running costs of the event are met entirely by entry fees, company sponsors and volunteers”.
This year’s event took place on June 22, with 734 competitors starting the event.
The five causes which are main beneficiaries this year are Birchwood Highland, Cantraybridge College, New Start Highland, Puffin Hydrotherapy Pool and Snap (Special Needs Action Project) Inverness.
Smaller grants totalling £56,000 will be distributed to local charities.
Organising Secretary and co-founder Calum Munro said: “With the 37th staging of Highland Cross brought to this amazing conclusion we are now well into the planning for the 38th “Highland Cross” on June 20, 2020.
“Over a third of a century of service to Highland communities is something that the wonderful team of volunteers, sponsors and supporting organisations can be justly proud of.
“Some of our supporters have been with us since the start and in some cases the children and grandchildren of original supporters are now volunteers on the Cross.”
