welcome to our autumn 2014 newsletter

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WELCOME TO OUR AUTUMN 2014 NEWSLETTER
A busy few months since our Summer Newsletter and lots to
share with everyone….
Gregor Heron
Gregor Heron –
West Highland Way Race
We told you about Gregor Heron in our
Summer Newsletter but would like to
extend his story and give you a little more
of an insight to his Ultra Marathon run
along the West Highland Way.
The race required him to navigate and deal
with the terrain specific to the route taken
on the day. As well as sleep deprivation
and the wet, hot or cold conditions,
preparing physically and mentally for all
these outcomes took months of training.
Before he knew it he was standing amidst a field of nearly two hundred competitors all
eager to begin the race at 1.00am on
Saturday 21st June. A distance of 96 miles
and with designated check points along the
way in which he was fuelled up before
continuing on his way. He crossed the
finishing line in 8th place with the truly
amazing time of 17:38:46. He wanted to
beat his previous record of 21:13:21 and was
hoping for somewhere around the 19 hour
mark, safe to say he certainly beat his
expectation! Gregor raised £224 for
Paradventures during this gruelling challenge.
Gordon from Paradventures drove the
support vehicle which was again kindly
provided by Taggart’s Land Rover, Glasgow. Gordon with the support vehicle provided by Taggart’s Land
Their ongoing support is valued enormously. Rover, Glasgow
Paradventures is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, number SC472169 and is a registered Scottish
Charity, number SC044941
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#Peak2Peak Challenge Training Began…
The Falls of Clyde – New Lanark
In June our group of volunteers
took Valerie Watt down to the
Falls of Clyde at New Lanark for
some training in the all-terrain
wheelchair in readiness for the
#Peak2Peak Challenge on 6th
September. We believe that this
was the first time a wheelchair
has actually been taken along the
1) Clyde Walk Way and up to the
2) Corra Linn Weir. This was also
Valerie’s first trip down the falls
and the views were just
spectacular.
Val and some of the Paradventures Team enjoying the Clydewalk
Arthurs Seat - Edinburgh
In July we travelled through to Edinburgh
and began training with our newest member
of Paradventures Jamie Macintosh who also
took part in the #Peak2Peak Challenge in
September. Jamie, 24 has Cerebral Palsy.
His constant smile and enthusiasm for life is
really quite catching!
Our training night saw Jamie use the allterrain chair for the first time, his reaction
was that of pure excitement. We took him
part way up Arthur’s Seat, not quite to the
top this time as we didn’t want to spoil it for
when he completed the #Peak2Peak
Challenge. His words when he saw the
views from the hill were “This is absolutely
amazing”. Having lived in Edinburgh all his
life, this was the very first time up the
famous landmark in Edinburgh and
Paradventures made it happen for him.
Jamie MacIntosh trying out the All-Terrain Chair
Paradventures is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, number SC472169 and is a registered Scottish
Charity, number SC044941
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Leading the Team to Higher Heights…..
In August, after 16 months of hard training Gordon, Billy, Ronnie and Dougie all passed the
Hill and Moorland Leader 3 day assessment which is a huge benefit to the work of
Paradventures. Congratulations to them on this amazing achievement. A huge Thank You
to Stuart Johnston from Climbmts who carried out the training and assessment for the guys.
#Peak2Peak Challenge Finally Arrived….
The Paradventures Team before they set off across the hills.
After months of training and hours of preparation the 6th September had finally arrived for
the #Peak2Peak Challenge. Teams from both Paradventures and Capability Scotland arrived
at Flotterstone ready to be briefed on the day’s event before they took off over the
countryside to the reach the top of the famous landmark in Edinburgh that was Arthur’s
Seat. Team Jamie and Team Val from Paradventures set off in good spirits in what had
turned out to be a glorious day.
The first Peak of the day being the top of Harbour Hill before winding down through Bonaly
Country Park and following the route along the Union Canal before heading into the Town
Centre passing various landmarks before the final ascent to the top of Arthur’s Seat. The
view from the top was superb and the sights included the Firth of Forth, the Pentland Hills
and of course the City of Edinburgh.
We were also joined at the top by Martin Jamieson another member of Paradventures who
although was unable to complete the whole route did a fantastic job and got the plateau of
Arthur’s Seat with help from his mum. Well Done to Martin who also enjoyed the views over
the beautiful city of Edinburgh.
Paradventures is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, number SC472169 and is a registered Scottish
Charity, number SC044941
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Everyone had an amazing day and a huge thank you to all teams for their dedication and
enthusiasm on the day. Also a huge Thank You to Asda The Jewel (Gina Muir and Calum
Nicholson) for the donation of drinks and snacks for each checkpoint. Another huge Thank
you to Edinburgh Rotaract for their help and support throughout the day. More photos on
our Facebook page showing the full event.
The Team at the Top of Arthur's
Seat, Edinburgh
Val and Jamie - We did it!!
Martin Jamieson on the Plateau of
Arthur’s Seat.
Paradventures is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, number SC472169 and is a registered Scottish
Charity, number SC044941
5
Holiday Time at Badaguish, Aviemore…..
The Badaguish Outdoor Adventure
Centre played a part in 10 days of
adventure for two groups in
September.
Capability Scotland
Stanmore House School and Wheelie
Gr8t Adventures both had 5 days in
Aviemore enjoying the outdoors.
The youngsters explored Aviemore
Town Centre and also enjoyed the
Speyside Steam Railway, up the
Funicular Cairngorm Railway enjoying
the views over Speyside at 3600ft.
Canoeing, Tree Zone and the
Cairngorm Brewery Tour were some
of the activities for each group.
Tessa, Jack and Chelsea with Carers from Capability Scotland Stanmore
House School and Gordon from Paradventures
Everyone had a brilliant time
throughout their break in Aviemore and their continuous smiles showed that they enjoyed
their adventures.
Wheelie Gr8t Adventures trip
was funded by the Big Lottery
Fund and once again both
groups were supported by
Taggart’s Land Rover, Glasgow
who have supported Adventure
Holidays for over 20 years.
More Photos on our Facebook
page…
Wheelie Gr8t Adventures pictured with Carers and
Gordon from Paradventures
Paradventures is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, number SC472169 and is a registered Scottish
Charity, number SC044941
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Let’s Walk the West Highland Way….
One of our volunteers Gillian Howden got her walking
boots on in September and walked the West Highland
Way to raise fund for Paradventures. She walked the
96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William over a period of
6 days. The weather was fantastic for this time of year
and not a midge in sight. She raised a fantastic
£680.00.
Gillian at the Official Ending to the West
Highland Way
Other Events News…..
 Our Coffee Morning held at Forth & Wilsontown Bowling Club in August was a great
success and we raised a fantastic £418.50. A great big Thank You to everyone who
came along and supported us.
 Valerie Watt is now back at the Wheelchair Curling at Hamilton Ice Rink. Good Luck
to her for the forthcoming season.
 Forth & Wilsontown Bowling Club chose to donate their Annual Charity Event
Proceeds to Paradventures. Gordon was presented with a cheque for £200 at their
Closing Social at the end of October. Many thanks to them for their support
throughout the year.
 Our BT MyDonate Fundraising Page is in the process of being registered with HMRC,
we look forward to being able to add this to our Website and Facebook Page soon
which will hopefully inspire more people to support our Charity, and raise money for
more adventures in the future.
 We now have an amazing team of dedicated volunteers who are all looking forward
to a programme of events planned for next year with Paradventures.
Paradventures is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, number SC472169 and is a registered Scottish
Charity, number SC044941