Findhorn resident, Fiona Thomson, is putting on her walking boots to raise funds for Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation (MIRO).
Fiona said, “Living in Findhorn village, I regularly see the MIRO rescue boat heading out of Findhorn bay at speed in response to emergency callouts. It is very reassuring to know that these dedicated volunteers are on hand to assist our emergency services in saving lives. I am aware that fundraising opportunities have been significantly reduced due to the pandemic whilst, at the same time, the demand on MIRO’s services has increased significantly due to the number of locals and visitors taking advantage of holidays in our lovely local area. I am very keen to contribute to MIRO’s fundraising efforts and decided to complete a sponsored walk of the Speyside Way. I’m going to be walking both ways, so will be covering approximately 120 miles over 12 days."
MIRO Chairman, John Low, said: “We are very grateful to Fiona for raising funds for MIRO and to Richard Cross at Findhorn Village Store for providing a convenient location in the village where anyone wishing to sponsor Fiona can fill in a sponsor form. Last summer we responded to a record number of callouts and our fuel costs increased significantly. Funds raised by Fiona will help us maintain our operational capacity to respond to emergency call-outs.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor Fiona can do so by completing her sponsor form - sponsor forms are also available at Findhorn Village Store. To donate online, supporters can go here and click on PLEASE DONATE. This will take you to the MIRO page on Virgin Money Giving and enables a donation to be made securely online.
Richard Cross, the proprietor of Findhorn Village Store, said “Although MIRO covers the area from Nairn to Burghead, it is based in Findhorn and is a charity that is very close to the hearts of residents in the village. We know that MIRO is manned totally by volunteers who receive no payment and that all the money collected is used to help deliver the rescue service. I’m delighted to be able to help with Fiona’s fundraising.”
The Speyside Way is part of the Moray Way, linking in with the Dava Way, and is one of four official Long Distance Routes in Scotland (the others are the West Highland Way, the Southern Upland Way, and the Great Glen Way). It was first opened in 1981, to run from Spey Bay to Ballindalloch, with a spur to Tomintoul being added in 1990. A northern extension from Spey Bay to Buckie followed in 1999, with the route being further extended from Ballindalloch to Aviemore in April 2000. The route now links the Moray coast with the edge of the Grampian Mountains, generally following the valley of the River Spey. The Speyside Way runs from Buckie, south-westwards to Aviemore on the edge of the Cairngorm Mountains, a distance of approximately 65 miles. There is also a 15-mile spur to Tomintoul.
For more information contact MIRO Director, Susan Leslie, on 07967329617