Highland student's kilted high wire act set to benefit 'life-changing' special needs charity
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A volunteer at an Inverness disability group is going to be taking on a unique challenge in his ancestral kilt.
University of St Andrews student Owen Hope, from Lochardil, will be walking 30m on a high wire for the Special Needs Action Project (SNAP).
The 21-year-old, who is in his third year of study in geography and anthropology, last year raised hundreds of pounds for the charity by hitch hiking to Seville.
He said: “SNAP has a special place in my heart and I just wanted to do something special to raise money for them.
“I know that doing the high wire would be enough of a challenge as it is, but doing it in my family kilt will make it even more special.”
He explained the kilt that belonged to his grandfather from Brora is made in the Sutherland tartan, and was made and belongs to his family who come from Brora.
He continued: “I am sure my grandmother Catherine Sutherland will love to see me in my grandad’s kilt on the high wire.
“I am not going to lie, when I first went to SNAP it was to tick off a challenge on my Duke of Edinburgh Award.
“But after going along to volunteer, it has really changed my life.
“The work they do changes the lives of everyone who comes into contact with them.
“I know that every single penny given to SNAP benefits the children and young people who go to the groups and other adventures it runs for children.
“I also know the impact on parents to get a few hours to themselves, so every penny that I make will benefit adults, young people and children.”
Due to Covid restrictions, Mr Hope is not planning to reveal the location of the challenge, but says it will be somewhere near his university.
“My challenge is to walk on a high wire known as slack lining, it is less static and moves about a bit more. It makes the challenge much more difficult,” he said.
“The line will be rigged up 25-30m in the air and I plan to walk 30m along it.”
Mr Hope said that his supporters had been asking him if he would be a true Scotsman when he was on the wire.
He laughed: “I just want anyone else who wants to ask me to know that I will be wearing underwear!”
To donate, go online to virtual.thekiltwalk.co.uk/fundraising/highlineforSNAP
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