The Caledonian Challenge is one of the most gruelling events of endurance Scotland has to offer.

 

This challenge involves covering 54 miles along the West Highland Way in 24 hours, yet despite this many of Blackwood’s very own have accepted the tough challenge all in the name of charity.

 

The Blackwood Bauchles, as they are so inventively called, are the brave souls who have decided to step forward and lead by example and there are 9 of them.

 

Divided into two teams, every Bauchle has pledged to raise £400 for Foundation Scotland.

 

Some of the people taking part are; from Blackwood’s HR team Helen MacDonald, Alastair Forrest, and Christopher Hogsden; and from Blackwood’s Business Services team Lesley Carnegie.

 

Why did you volunteer yourself to take part in such a big challenge?

HM: I’ve done the challenge before and it was a fantastic, if demanding, experience (The Caledonian CHALLENGE is the right name for it!) It’s tough but the sense of achievement you gain in fantastic – even if you have to wear flip flops for the following week!

 

CH: Wanted to do something that would stretch me both physically and mentally as well as being really rewarding.

 

LC: I think the idea came about because Chris and Emma realised one day that they had both walked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, and we all thought something like that would be a great team building experience.  But we decided it was more realistic to do something closer to home!

 

AF: I see it as a good challenge to myself and to set a target for helping get a bit fitter in conjunction with the step walk challenge here in the work.

 

How have you found the training and training with colleagues? 

HM: You just need to keep going with the training, plodding away – literally!  It’s been great to get to know some of my colleagues outside work and everyone is very supportive of one another.

 

CH: All going well so far, we have done training walks around Pentlands, Loch Leven and will next tackle the Ochils. Testing our organisational abilities and sense of humour!

 

LC: I volunteered because I thought it would be an excellent chance to get fit, and to get to know some of my colleagues better.  We don’t always do a lot of socialising because people’s lives are so busy, so this seemed to be an opportunity to do that.

 

AF: As I work part time I find the preparations are going well to the plan issued. So far!

 

How do you think doing this challenge will affect Blackwood?

HM: It helps build relationships across the organisation, and everyone will be joining forces to support us (or laugh at us!) On the day of the challenge it’s great to meet other teams from very different sectors – a great way to spread the news about Blackwood and Bespoken.

 

CH: Hopefully it will bring people who don’t necessarily have day to day contact workwise together plus it is raising money for a really worthwhile cause – Foundation Scotland.

 

LC: It’s a good group that are involved, and we all have similar senses of humour, so the training has been entertaining though very tough in parts!  The 54 miles is really daunting, so I’m trying not to think about that too much and just focus on what we’re achieving.

 

AF: Helps in building team working and co-operation; staff morale is given a boost.

 

Do you feel that doing the Challenge will have an effect on your work life and relationship with colleagues?

HM: Getting out walking is good for our health and makes you feel fantastic, and the camaraderie is really good for building relationships across the business and gaining a better understanding about the different departments. 

 

LC: The fundraising is a big part of it too – it’s a chance for me to raise money for a worthwhile cause but I think it’s also good for Blackwood as an organisation to be contributing, particularly as Foundation Scotland does so much for Scottish communities.

 

AF: It helps in communicating with each other and awareness of others jobs in the organisation.

 

Also does anyone remember how the idea arose?

HM: No idea – I remember Chris and I speaking about it, but other people were considering it too.

 

CH: It was definitely talked about at Christmas as we were looking ahead to what 2015 might bring – and look where we’ve ended up!

 

Anything else you would like to add?

 

HM: Please sponsor us!!!

 

CH: Feel free to sponsor us! -  Bauchles A and Bauchles B and like our Facebook page.

 

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