Poverty-stricken African fishermen will net a cash boost following a fundraising walk past some of Moray’s most picturesque ports.
The Rotary Club of Buckie’s annual Six Harbours Walk took place earlier in the summer, with 500 participants donning their outdoor gear for the bracing seaside stroll.
The 16-mile jaunt begins at Portsoy and follows the coastal path through Sandend, Cullen, Portknockie and Findochty to Buckie harbour.
The initiative raised more than £10,000 and organisers have now distributed the cash to a string of worthy causes.
Among them is the Renewable World group, which helps fishing communities on the shores of Lake Victoria in East Africa.
Less than 8% of the fishermen who cast their nets there have access to power to freeze or chill their catch before it goes to market.
Those parts of Tanzania and Uganda are remote from the electricity grid and unlikely to be connected in the near future, so the charity is developing solar grids which will provide power to
fishermen and their families.
Renewable World’s fundraising manager, Marie Hounslow, welcomed the Buckie group’s £2,000 donation.
She added: “There is something very special about one community reaching out and helping another community many thousands of miles away.
“We thank every single person who walked the harbours, sponsored the walkers or helped arrange this special event.”
Payments of £2,000 have also been made to Diabetes UK, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s renal unit and Buckie Cancer Link.
A further £5,000 was split between several local voluntary organisations.
Bill Greig, chairman of the Six Harbour Walk committee, said: “We had a big team of rotarians who helped the walk run smoothly, and contributed to everyone’s enjoyment of the day.
“Particular thanks go to the enthusiastic walkers themselves for their commitment and fundraising for these most worthwhile causes.”
