Mull Grand Traverse raises over £22,000 for charity

Mull Grand Traverse raises over £22,000 for charity

On the 23 August 2008, 91 intrepid adventurers took on a unique challenge which saw them cross the beautiful and rugged Isle of Mull.  The course took them over some of the island’s most stunning coastal, mountain and forest terrain, starting on bikes in the island’s colourful capital Tobermory and finished on foot with sumptuous food and a cracking party to finish the day off.

The event was organised by the Martyn Bennett Trust to raise money for itself as well as Marie Curie Cancer Care, the participants raised over £22,000 in total.  On Tuesday 3rd March the Martyn Bennett Trust handed over a cheque for £6,500 to staff at the Edinburgh Marie Curie Centre. 

David Oxenham Medical Director of the centre thanked the Martyn Bennett Trust for giving this money as part of the Mull Grand Traverse:

"I learned a huge amount from Martyn, particularly about stretching the boundaries and I will always remember him with enormous fondness. For me it’s a real pleasure to continue the link with the Martyn Bennett Trust and I look forward to continuing that in the future."

This year’s  Mull Grand Traverse will take place on Saturday 22 August 2009, teams are already signing up and event is planned to be bigger and better than ever. The event is open to teams of 2-6 who complete the course together. There are bronze, silver, gold and platinum finishes which range from 26 to 55 miles to suit people of differing fitness and ability. With a little training and a good helping of team work, everyone should be able to find a tough but achievable challenge.

A testimonial taken from one of the event’s participants outlines of the style of the event:

"I’ve never taken part in an event where so much was organised for you, having so much thought taken for participants was amazing.  The party in the evening was a lovely touch, really made it into an event, rather than a physical challenge, and great to get the chance to swap stories with other entrants."

Those interested can register or find out more online at the 2009 event’s great looking website www.mullgrandtraverse.com

Marie Curie Cancer Care

With ten hospices across the UK, Marie Curie Cancer Care provides the largest number of hospice beds outside the NHS. The hospices offer specialist support in a relaxed, friendly and comfortable environment and no charge is ever made to patients or their families. Voluntary contributions, together with statutory government funding, are essential to continue providing these vital services.

Marie Curie scientists are at the forefront of cancer research. They focus on how the cells of our bodies should normally operate; what causes these processes to go wrong, leading to cancer; and how better treatments can be developed. Much of the work carried out relates to the fundamental mechanisms governing proper cell division and organisation and how damage to genes which have important roles in ordinary cells can cause a cell to become cancerous.

The Marie Curie Palliative Care Research and Development Unit seeks to improve care for those affected by life-limiting illnesses through encouraging and carrying out research into a broad spectrum of issues relating to palliative care. Its work includes investigations into a wide range of subjects and issues, including aromatherapy massage, constipation in cancer patients and communication skills for healthcare professionals.

http://www.mariecurie.org.uk