Scottish veterans raise almost £2,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Galston Army veteran took part in one of the toughest endurance challenges in Scotland to raise cash for a great cause.Alasdair Bunyan joined colleagues and their Bravehound assistance dogs on the Army Benevolent Fund’s Cateran Yomp, which took place from the Cateran Trail in the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains.Alasdair joined Aimee Williams from Twechar in Dunbartonshire and Alan McKay from Falkirk to form the 'Bravehound' team.

They were supported by veteran Billy Bradley, from Irvine, who was cheering for the team at each checkpoint, along with his assistance dog Max, Alasdair's dog Fen and Alan's dog Mr Chips as they were not signed up for the challenge.The team, connected through the charity of the same name, joined more than 1,000 soldiers, veterans and civilians from across the world by walking 22, 36, or 54 miles in 24 hours.Alasdair and Alan reached Gold after walking 54 miles, while Aimee reluctantly stopped just after Silver, which was 44 miles, following an injury.

Collectively, the team raised almost £2,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund.Alasdair, the Bravehound charity’s head of training and behaviour and a veteran himself, said: "The Cateran Yomp was a challenge indeed covering so many different types of terrain.

From boggy flat lands to dry rocky tracks to tiring climbs it was a case of head down and forget the pain and shut out the screaming muscles and just head for the finish."The experience was fantastic and The Army Benevolent Fund should be so proud of putting on another phenomenal event."Bravehound charity, based in Lennoxtown near Glasgow, provides assistance dogs and training to support veterans who have diagnosed mental health conditions.