Five Galloway Mountain Rescue Team members and supporters have completed an amazing trek over Galloway’s highest hills to raise more than £12,000 – and counting.
The fearsome 52-mile challenge, called the Ring of Fire, saw a party of 11 leave Bruce’s Stone in Glentrool at 6pm on Thursday for a non-stop hike over southern Scotland’s roughest, toughest terrain.
Six people dropped out at various stages but five, including Galloway MRT leader Stew Gibson, stuck it out all the way.
The quintet began by climbing Lamachan and Curlywee, crossed the Black Water of Dee to do the entire Rhinns of Kells ridge, dropped down to Loch Doon, hiked across to The Awful Hand Range, climbed Shalloch on Minnoch then tramped over Tarfessock, Kirriereoch, Merrick, Benyellary and finally Bennan before making it back to Bruce’s Stone at 4am on Saturday.
Speaking to the News on Tuesday, Stew said: “I think everybody can just about walk again after three days.
“We kept moving and did not stop, except for food and drinks. It was the fact that people had so generously donated that kept us going.
“The total is more than £12,000 now and it’s all going towards our team base. The support from the community, family, friends and the other team members was incredible and we thank them all.”
Anyone wishing to add to the campaign fund can do so at gofund.me/1e0f6e4d
