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LOCAL ‘DAD’S ARMY’ GROUP TO COMPLETE CHARITY COMMANDO CHALLENGE IN AID OF BEFRIEND A CHILD

A group of Garioch businessmen and women are to leave the comforts of their day jobs behind to don army fatigues, smear on camouflage face paint and undertake a gruelling 10km commando assault course in aid of a local children’s charity this weekend.

Seven members of local networking group BNI Echo – which meets on a weekly basis at Inverurie Golf Club – are to undertake the challenge to raise funds for Befriend A Child, which provides a befriending service to deprived and vulnerable children in Aberdeen and has recently expanded its services into Aberdeenshire for the first time.

The event, which will feature both on-road and off-road challenges and various obstacles – including liberal amounts of mud, water and cargo nets – will take place on Sunday, September 4, at Keithhall Estate, near Inverurie.

The course has been designed by a group of locally-based, military-trained personnel, who have ensured that it remains as faithful as possible to one that would be undertaken as part of actual military training.

The group of intrepid fundraisers, who have affectionately named themselves ‘Dad’s Army’ for the challenge, are Graham Hudson, of Central Insurance Services, Ali Fenton, of Grampian Design Associates, Donald Johnston of DJ Groundworks, David Watt of Xplain IT, Steve Beckett of I-D (Aberdeen) Ltd, John Matthew of John G Matthew Plumbers and Charlotte Gillett, of Mint Accounting.

The idea for the challenge originated from a Befriend A Child initiative to see how much supporters of the charity could turn an initial donation of £20 into. Each of the ‘Dad’s Army’ group members has invested their £20 in t-shirts for the event and in training with local instructor Terri Forbes of Stix Body Blitz, in Inverurie, to ensure they are in prime condition for the big challenge.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Graham Hudson, said: “We have been undergoing some pretty intensive training over the past couple of months to whip us into shape for this event but it is still going to be a real challenge for us all to get to the finish line.

“We have already been pledged a significant amount of sponsorship from family and friends, but we would be extremely grateful to anyone who wanted to sponsor us – not only is it an opportunity to see us all completely out of our comfort zones, and no doubt covered in mud – but it is also a chance to raise funds for a fantastic organisation that does vital work with vulnerable children in the local area.”

Supporters are welcome on the day to cheer the group on as they complete their challenge and anyone who would like to sponsor Dad’s Army should visit the on-line fundraising page at http://www.mycharitypage.com/hudsonbniecho

Established in 1975, Befriend A Child is Scotland's oldest befriending service for disadvantaged children. Working with social workers, care homes, health visitors, and other charities, Befriend A Child supports children aged 4-16 and continues to work with them up until the age of 18, if required.

The scheme became a registered charity in 1991 and in 2010 worked with more than 170 children in Aberdeen City - its largest number to date. It has recently expanded its services into Aberdeenshire for the first time.

Further information about Befriend A Child is available at www.befriendachild.org.uk or by calling 01224 210 060.

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