PICTURE FLASHBACK: The day Kyle RNLI lifeboat crewman Daniel Elliot went the extra mile – and then some – for voluntary lifesavers
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A HEART-WARMING surge of support for a Ross-shire lifeboat crew volunteer helped him power his way across nine peaks before a long cycle back home during a fundraiser which also paid poignant tribute to a stalwart supporter.
Daniel Elliot (31), who has been a crew member with the Kyle RNLI team for three years, completed his 9 Peaks of Kintail challenge in just over 10 hours, raising more than £4750.
The effort saw him run 40km over nine Munros before cycling 25km back to the Kyle lifeboat station on the same day.
Daniel, who during the day is an on-board chef at the Navy base in Kyle, started at 7am in Morvich, taking on an 11,479m ascent along the way.
He was driven by a desire to help kit out other crew members and the fact that normal fundraising activities – vital for the continuation of the lifesaving service – had been curtailed for more than two years because of the Covid pandemic.
Daniel picked up mountain biking and hill running during lockdown – the latter following his dad Bruce while his bike was being repaired.
One of the Munros Daniel was running over took in a favourite walk of one of the station’s stalwarts, Pat Mucklow, who recently passed away.
Touchingly, Daniel took a small bouquet of flowers and an RNLI pin badge to leave at the top in her memory.
After completing the epic mountain challenge, he jumped on his bike and cycled back to the lifeboat station in Kyle. He arrived back at the station just after 5pm, where a large crowd was gathered to cheer him over the finish line.
He was delighted to smash his original target of £3100 – enough to fully kit out and train one crew member.
He said: “I wanted to raise much-needed funds for kit and training for the new crew members.
“Some of the ascents were difficult, and at times I was scrambling on all fours, however, my dad came and joined me on Munro number four, bringing
me much-needed water and a morale boost.
“The weather was good, however, later on the heat began to be a bit of an issue. I completed the run in nine hours and 15 minutes, and then jumped on my bike.
“There was a brisk headwind which was tough, however, when I reached Kyle, the lifeboat crew and families, local pipe band and fire brigade were all on hand to welcome me home.
“I’d like to thank the Kyle RNLI team, the public and local businesses for their support and generous donations. Also not forgetting my family who have supported me with my training, and my dad who completed the second half of challenge alongside me.”
