Scotland Women Trek For Charity

Scotland Women players past and present are joining adventurers from across the world at a spectacular charitable challenge taking place in the Scottish Highlands this weekend (6 & 7 August).  Captain Susie Brown, loose-head prop Heather Lockhart and former Scotland A player Fiona Reardon will have just 24 hours to complete the WildHearts WolfTrek, a gruelling 45-mile trek from Forres to Cairngorm mountain.Said Susie: “This trek is certainly adding a different element into our pre-season training – we thought all the speed endurance work has been challenging but these 45 miles might make that look easy!” WildHearts provide micro-loans and business training to people living in poverty in the developing world – including Ghana, Bolivia and Peru – enabling them to work their own way out of poverty.    Photo: Current Scotland Women caps Susie Brown (left) and Heather Lockhart Susie continued: It will be a huge challenge but the WildHearts charity does incredible work and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to help support this wonderful charity. Heather has undertaken a similar challenge previously and Fiona climbed Kilimanjaro last year so I am definitely the novice of the group – I am hoping my blister plasters and willpower see my through! Created by the WildHearts charity, the WolfTrek takes participants through a microcosm of Highland wilderness, packed with diverse terrain, landscapes and wildlife.  Hiking from sea level to the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, the ‘WolfPack’ will set off from Forres on the Moray Coast and venture through Glenmore and Abernethy Forest.  Uniquely, participants will also cross the Dava Moor by night, passing the spooky ruined castle of the medieval tyrant Alexander Stewart the Earl of Buchan, known as the ‘Wolf of Badenoch’.  The ‘Wolf’ became infamous in the 14th century after torching Elgin cathedral and destroying the town of Forres. The final stage of the trek will see participants pushing themselves to their limits as they tackle the twisting trail up Cairngorm Mountain. Once one WildHearts micro-client repays their loan, that money is then lent out to another member of their community.  In this way funds raised by the WolfTrek will be re-lent for years to come, with participants continuing to help more people work their way out of poverty every year. To find out more about the WolfTrek see www.wildheartsinaction.org and to sponsor Susie, Heather and Fiona visit www.wildheartsevents.com/theforwardthree