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Congratulations for signing-up for the 2010 Martin Currie Rob Roy Challenge. Welcome to our first e-newsletter for participants and support teams. With less than three months to go before the event, this is designed to provide useful information to help your fundraising and preparation.
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Update on registrations
The event is filling-up fast. We already have 500 people registered, a record for early April. Our capacity is 750 people, and we expect to fill these places over the next two months. |
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Fundraising tips
Our over-riding purpose is to raise as much money for good causes as we can. That is why all participants commit to raising £400 per person. This may seem a daunting task, but with planning and commitment it is very achievable. The first step is to sit down, either individually or as a team, and plan your strategy. Think laterally and positively. It is better to start sooner rather than later.
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You can manage your fundraising online through our event registration section. This enables you to e-mail friends and family who can donate securely online, with automatic Gift Aid reclaim for UK taxpayers.
If you are collecting cash or cheques, please keep a record on a sponsorship record form. This is essential for the Martin Currie Charitable Foundation to record donations. And always ask your sponsors to complete a Gift Aid form. You can download sponsorship forms with information on Gift Aid from the website.
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Still needing some inspiration? We have prepared a leaflet providing ideas for sponsorship. I hope this will motivate you to raise as much as possible for our fantastic charity partners. |
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Our charity partners
The Martin Currie Charitable Foundation chooses local, national and international charity partners to benefit from the Rob Roy Challenge. The 2010 charities are shown here.
For more information on the charities, please visit the charity profiles on the website. |
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What your entry fee covers
Entry fees represent less than 50% of the cost of running the Rob Roy Challenge, so £110 represents excellent value. In return for paying the entry fee and committing to raise your funds, you will receive:
- An experienced events team who will inspire and assist you every step of the way
- Regular email newsletters with useful tips, information and support
- Practical support, including comprehensive guidance on training, fundraising, support logistics, kit and bike set-up.
- Online facility for managing your team details and fundraising activity
- Access to downloadable leaflets to help recruit a team and publicise your team's participation in the Rob Roy Challenge
- Route map
- Event Programme mailed to you in May
- Registration on the Friday night before the event and on Saturday morning
- A stunning, fully way-marked trail
- Full electronic timing with real-time updates for friends and family through the website
- Emergency medical and technical support, should you need it
- Checkpoint facilities, such as water, toilets, shelter
- Access to your support crew at three strategically placed check points along the way
- All food and drink en route, plus a sumptuous three-course feast at the end
- A highland party with ceilidh band and bar
- Firework display
- A full cooked breakfast on the Sunday morning
- Medal
- Goody bag, including commemorative t-shirt, mug, and a host of complimentary items donated by charities and sponsors
- A commemorative DVD of the event
- The satisfaction of raising funds for some outstanding charities, including The Prince’s Trust, Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust, NSPCC and Sightsavers.
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Training
The Rob Roy Challenge is an achievable event that over 90% of participants complete in full. Nonetheless it requires training and preparation, and new participants always remark how much tougher it was than they expected.
A 16 mile walk followed by 39 miles on a bicycle through the Scottish glens requires some thought into how you can best prepare your bodies for the challenge. On the website we have outlined some tips that we have personally put into practice, and have successfully passed on to others who have taken up other similar challenges in the past.
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Help us spread the word
The 2009 Rob Roy Challenge video is available on YouTube. You can also follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook. |
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Help us recruit volunteer marshals
The Rob Roy Challenge could not take place without the energy and enthusiasm of our volunteer marshals. In addition to participants’ own support teams we need around 120 people to come and help marshal. This involves distributing drinks and food and offering encouragement to participants.
Why be a marshal?
- Play a key part in a major fundraising event
- Free camping accommodation
- Help with travel expenses
- Great way to see this spectacular part of Scotland, and meet like-minded people
- Free entry to the huge post-event feast and party
- Goody bag with T-shirt, mug and complimentary items
- No previous experience needed and lots of guidance given
- Special signed certificate of recognition
- It's great fun!
For more information, download our volunteer marshal leaflet.
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Our corporate sponsors
Without the generous support of our corporate sponsors we would not be able to run such an ambitious event and raise so much money for good causes. They are listed below, and we thank them for their support.
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| We still have some corporate sponsorship opportunities remaining. For full details, download our leaflet. |
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Any questions?
In our next newsletter we will be answering your questions. So please e-mail these to robroy@martincurrie.com and we’ll publish the most common ones. To kick-off, the most common question we are asked is:
“What type of tyres should I put on my bike?”
Unfortunately there is no simple answer and it largely depends on your confidence in the saddle and desire for speed over stability. Mountain bike tyres certainly provide more grip on the rougher paths between Callander and Killin, while road tyres have a real advantage on the final tarmac stage to Kenmore. We have noticed a large number of participants using bikes with hybrid tyres, and these seem well suited to the overall conditions.
Thank you again for your support and good luck with your training and fundraising. Please do contact me if you have any questions. .
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Carolyn Mackay
Event administrator Martin Currie Rob Roy Challenge team
Tel: 01671 820216
Mob: 07811 496961 |
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