Successful Supporters’ Open Day

Thanks to everyone who joined us on 24^th August for our second Supporters’ Open Day.  We had between 50 and 60 people over the course of the day ranging in age from pre-school to mid-seventies and the day included activities – climbing, walking and cycling and a bouncy castle, and there were presentations by a number of previous grant recipients. A big thank you to William Fraser Haulage, Gorthleck, and for all those who assisted in the activities, gave presentations and helped in the hall with food, IT and the bouncy castle.  As last year, it was not designed to be a fundraising event but as a result of the generosity of those who attended and others who were unable to come we raised a massive £1,100.  Thank you to everyone who contributed. If you were there and have any feedback on the day, please let us know, and if you weren’t there I hope you will consider joining us next year.  It was a day of fun, meeting new friends, and learning, not only about the Trust and what we do, but also how the money we raise has actually helped individuals and small groups.  There will be information about our 2025 Open Day in the next (Winter) newsletter.

Walk around the world

Up until 10^th November, as a group we have walked, swum, cycled, etc. 40,604 miles taking us beyond Buenos Aires into the South Atlantic. We circumnavigated the northern hemisphere, dropped down to Cape Town, and have almost completed the circumnavigation of the Southern hemisphere (all virtually, of course!). Now we need a big push. If you have any recorded miles for us, please let us know.  We need another 8,669 miles to return to Inverness, via Cape Town, by the end of the year, AND we need some more donations to justify all the hard work that our friends, relations and supporters have put in.  Angus & Margaret have walked 1,838 miles, to date, in 15 European countries, as well as Scotland and England and are hoping to complete their 2024 miles well before 31^st December.  Again, please can you help?

https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-us-in-our-walk-around-the-world?qid=0b0688a43d1c95c2ae032fa7960ce7c5

Although the figure in GoFundme is low, we have, in fact, raised £1,040 and really hope to get to £2,024 by the end of the year. 

Grant news

Due to an overwhelming number of applications we had to suspend new expedition grant applications for 3 months, and we are now reconsidering our criteria and application process for this category.  Our funds are buoyant, but we need to keep a cushion.  All money raised in donations goes directly to grants, and it goes without saying the more we raise, the more grants we can give.  We cover our minimal costs by selling merchandise, and other incidental income.

On the other hand, we have not had so many applications for skills training grants, recently.   If you, or someone you know, would like to learn a new skill, or increase your/their knowledge and experience of an outdoor non-competitive activity, we may be able to help. We particularly like to help people who will use their training in a voluntary capacity  eg. Mountain Rescue, or a volunteer in an organisation or club.  Also we aim to help people who are experiencing difficulties accessing the outdoors for health, financial or any other reason.

Generous donation:

Our thanks go to the chairman and trustees of Glen Brittle Memorial Hut (SC048536) for their generous donation of £2,000.  Although they have not attached any conditions to the donation we hope that we will be able to use it for a grant, or grants, for someone from Skye or for an expedition to Skye or the North West Highlands.

Out of Doors:

 In August we were interviewed for Radio Scotland Out of Doors.  Here is the link if you would like to listen. Ours is the first interview. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0jld7x9

2024 Expeditions

A team from Glasgow University Exploration Society was awarded our Educational Expedition Grant earlier in the year and  carried out scientific research on wildlife in Trinidad and Tobago in the summer.

“Our research focused on investigating the abundance and diversity of various species across different habitat types, including reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, moths and other terrestrial invertebrates. Additionally, we studied the fascinating behaviour of motmots, specifically their use of anvils to break open hard-shelled prey, to gain a deeper understanding of how this behaviour is learned and utilized………………..”

Full report: https://wordpress.com/page/theneilmackenzietrust.com/5372

Currently we are supporting a group of 4 climbers in their effort to establish first ascents in the remote region of the Rolwaling valley in Nepal.

 Grant
newsDue to an
overwhelming number of applications we had to suspend new expedition grant
applications for 3 months, and we are now reconsidering our criteria and
application process for this category. 
Our funds are buoyant, but we need to keep a cushion.  All money raised in donations goes directly
to grants, and it goes without saying the more we raise, the more grants we can
give.  We cover our minimal costs by
selling merchandise, and other incidental income. On the other
hand, we have not had so many applications for skills training grants,
recently.   If you, or someone you know,
would like to learn a new skill, or increase your/their knowledge and
experience of an outdoor non-competitive activity, we may be able to help. We particularly
like to help people who will use their training in a voluntary capacity  eg. Mountain Rescue, or a volunteer in an
organisation or club.  Also we aim to
help people who are experiencing difficulties accessing the outdoors for
health, financial or any other reason.Generous
donation:Our thanks go to the chairman and trustees of Glen
Brittle Memorial Hut (SC048536) for their generous donation of £2,000.  Although they have not attached any
conditions to the donation we hope that we will be able to use it for a grant,
or grants, for someone from Skye or for an expedition to Skye or the North West
Highlands.Out of
Doors: In August we were interviewed for Radio Scotland Out of Doors.  Here is the link if you would like to listen.
Ours is the first interview. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0jld7x9    2024
ExpeditionsA team from
Glasgow University Exploration Society was awarded our Educational Expedition
Grant earlier in the year and  carried
out scientific research on wildlife in Trinidad and Tobago in the summer.

“Our research focused on investigating the abundance and
diversity of various species across different habitat types, including
reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, moths and other terrestrial invertebrates.
Additionally, we studied the fascinating behaviour of motmots, specifically
their use of anvils to break open hard-shelled prey, to gain a deeper
understanding of how this behaviour is learned and utilized………………..”

Full report:
https://wordpress.com/page/theneilmackenzietrust.com/5372 Currently we
are supporting a group of 4 climbers in their effort to establish first ascents
in the remote region of the Rolwaling valley in Nepal.