A Perthshire farm manager is preparing to undertake an extraordinary 5,000-mile expedition from the rugged terrain of Highland Scotland to the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert to raise funds for Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle and agricultural charity, RSABI.
This September Hugh Chamberlain, farm manager at Atholl Estates, will embark on the trip as a heartfelt tribute to his late father-in-law, Tony Rawlings, who dreamt of exploring the world in his cherished 1993 Land Rover Defender 300tdi.
Tony, who passed away due to cancer, found solace during his illness by planning and modifying the Land Rover for this very journey. His adventurous spirit and meticulous preparations provided a welcome distraction from his treatments. Although he is no longer here to witness this expedition, his legacy lives on through Hugh’s determination to fulfil his dream.
Hugh, accompanied by friend Dave Hill, who he met at agricultural college, will navigate the arduous route relying solely on maps and intuition. The expedition, set to test their endurance and resilience, aims to raise funds for the two charities close to both families’ hearts.
“In honour of Tony’s legacy, we are embarking on this expedition to prove that even amidst loss, dreams can endure, and compassion can ignite change,” Hugh said.
“It is our hope that through this challenge, we will provide a beacon of hope and support to those in Scottish agriculture and the hospice community. We gratefully welcome any donations which will enable our two chosen charities to continue delivering the all-important support and services they provide.”
Eden Valley Hospice is a charity dedicated to providing specialist care for adults in north Cumbria who have life-limiting conditions and support for their families, friends, and carers.
Eleanor Viney, Fundraising Manager for Eden Valley Hospice said: “As a charity, we rely on the kindness of our local community to provide the specialist end of life care that local families need. Without the generosity of local people such as Hugh and Dave, we couldn’t support families affected by life-limiting illness during such difficult times.”
The local companies and people generously sponsoring the event include Simon Huntington, Lloyd Ltd Carlisle and Fluscowood Homes, all instrumental in making Hugh’s challenge a reality.
For more information or to support Hugh’s journey, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/highlandheathertosaharasands or text SAHARA to 70480 to donate £10.
