We are still waiting for some 25 mile invitees to return their entries.  The (so called!) entry deadline, has long gone, but we continue to give you the benefit of the doubt, holding back many prospective new entrants in the process.  If entering please return your forms ASAP - If not please advise the secretary so she can re-allocate your place.  Thank you.

Congratulations to Ross Bannerman, Tain who planned and staged the very successful and enjoyable Slioch Horseshoe hill race at Kinlochewe on 31st May.

39 of Scotland's leading runners took part, a good response for the inaugural year, in what promises to be a major attraction on the hill-running calendar for many years to come.  Ross is a member of Highland Hill Runners and along with many of his team-mates competes in the GWC every year.

The GWC organisers would like to thank two of our regular supporters from the U.S. - Verna Van-Loan from Tucson, Arizona and Bari Fischer from Fort Myers, Florida.  Both ladies make substantial contributions to the fundraising every year, without actually taking part!  Verna has attended the GWC, but only as a spectator while Bari did run in 2004 and 2005 but through pressure of business has been unable to return since.

We are pleased to announce that Catherine Rose has now returned home to Brora following her six months stay in Raigmore Hospital.  Our best wishes to her and her family as her recuperation continues.

We are delighted to report that Catherine Rose, Brora continues to make an encouraging recovery in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness following life-threatening injuries sustained in December's road accident, which sadly claimed the life of her daughter, and our friend, Melainey.  She did not suffer brain damage, as originally feared, and her multiple injuries are gradually responding to treatment.  It is hoped that if current progress is maintained Catherine will be able to return home in the not too distant future.

Several Highland and local charities have benefited from the proceeds of the 22nd Great Wilderness Challenge, held in Poolewe last August. Main beneficiary was Highland Hospice which received £81,500, making it almost £500,000 in total to that charity from the GWC over the years. The event has now distributed a total of £1,895,400 to charities since 1986.   

Other charity recipients included Children 1st, Children’s Hospice Association Scotland, CLIC Sargent, Raigmore Breast Cancer Fund, MS Therapy Centres at Inverness and Portree, British Heart Foundation, Raigmore Hospital General Cancer Fund and the St Andrews Ambulance Association.   

Among many local causes supported this time were Dundonnell Mountain Rescue, Dundonnell community (new defibrillator), Poolewe Swimming Pool, Local Community Nursing Fund, Poolewe Hall, Gairloch High School, Gairloch Primary School, Cairdeas, Gairloch Boat Club, Two Lochs Radio and Wester Ross Provincial Mod. 

The organisers, on behalf of all the charities, would like to profusely thank all those who rose to the occasion to raise this incredible figure, and the many thousands who sponsored them. Maybe GWC 2007 will now be remembered for something other than the rain!

All connected with the GWC were shocked to learn of the sudden death of Melainey in a horrific road accident on Friday 28th December. With her mother, Catherine, she was returning back to Brora from a shopping trip to Inverness when the accident happened. Catherine survived the crash, but remains in the intensive care unit at Raigmore Hospital.

36 year old Melainey, a cousin of GWC organiser Mairi MacKenzie, had been a regular catering assistant at the Challenge since the late eighties, a fantastic personality whose laughter and wit never failed to inspire those around her. She was employed as a MacMillan nurse at Raigmore Hospital, specialising in breast cancer. Colleagues there have paid tributes to her professionalism, sense of humour and the obvious affection all her patients had for her.

Over 500 mourners paid their respects at her funeral service at Brora on Saturday (12th January), a testimony to her popularity and respect from everyone who knew her. Our collective thoughts are with her father John and brother David in Brora, and Catherine as she continues her fight for life in hospital.

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The GWC committee also send their sincere condolences to Mr Barry Copeland from Montrose, who tragically lost his wife Ann and daughters Niamh (10) and Ciara (7) in a similar road accident on Wednesday 9th January. Barry competed in the 2006 13mile race.

The GWC committee recently donated a brand new Mobile First Aid post to the East Ross company of the St. Andrews First Aid.

St. Andrews assist with medical cover every year at the GWC, as well as many other events throughout the area.

Picture: Annmaree Bain, Donald Beaton, Emma Beaton

On behalf of The Great Wilderness Challenge, Marie Mackenzie & Pat Ross recently donated a new Defibrillator for use when someone has had a Cardiac Arrest in the Dundonnell Area.

Local first responder and emergency medical technician, Dave Neville, said:

"living in Dundonnell is a fantastic experience, but unfortunately we have to realise that services that are taken for granted in cities and towns can’t happen as fast out here. To have any chance of survival, someone in Cardiac Arrest must be treated within minutes and the Ambulance Service strives for an 8 minute attendance at these events.

Given the distances involved this is impossible in the Dundonnell area and having a defibrillator with people trained to use it gives both locals and visitors a fighting chance of survival.’

He added: ‘The defibrillator we were given by the North British Hotels Trust about 8 years ago, is now coming to the end of its useful life and we were unsure where we could turn for an up-to-date replacement. This Donation from The Great Wilderness Challenge is very much appreciated and we will now start a new training programme for this machine which is even easier to use than the old one.’

Recently the Great Wilderness Challenge donated two new cough assist machines to the Chest Unit at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness. The machines cost £3000 each, and will be of invaluable assistance to the unit in dealing with respiratory problems, enabling patients with muscular diseases, polio and breathing difficulties to cough properly.

Lachie Smith, an Inverness resident, who suffers from polio, was the first to try out one of the machines. Mr. Smith explained that before getting the use of the machine he would have to visit the hospital at least three times a year, for a week each time. Now he can get a machine home for a couple of days and easily clear his airways. Raigmore's respiratory specialist nurse, Cathie Dunn said benefits extend to doctors, patients, physiotherapists and nursing staff, as it could be used throughout the hospital with patients from other wards. Patients who are recovering from surgery can have problems, so the machine can be used by physiotherapists for that purpose.

The machines were handed over to ward consultant Dr. Geoffrey Hulks by Mrs. Louise Mackenzie from Inverness. In August Mrs. Mackenzie completed her 12th consecutive GWC, and is one of the highest ever fundraisers in the event.

She said "It gives me great pleasure to see these machines coming to where they are so badly needed. Everything the Great Wilderness Challenge supports are causes in desperate need and it is just a great feeling to know that the equipment will benefit so many people."