Organisers of the annual Highland Cross challenge event have praised the outstanding efforts of teams after a record-breaking year for fundraising.

Participants who complete the 50-mile duathlon between Kintail and Beauly raised an average of more than £1200 per team of three.

The total raised in the 2023 event was £329,378, which will be shared between five main charities with the remainder distributed to other causes across the Highlands.

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John Fraser, long-time treasurer to Highland Cross, said: “The total raised by competitors this year exceeds the £268,907 raised in 2022 and even surpasses the previous record sum raised of £307,566 in 2018.

“This has amazed and humbled us. Over the 39 years Highland Cross has now given charities over £5.9million.”

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The five charities selected by the independent panel to receive donations from this year’s Highland Cross include Aban, Caberfeidh Horizons and Friends of Cameron House, all of which will receive a new vehicle. Highland Hospice is also getting a new van for its retail department while Partnerships for Wellbeing will receive a new wheelchair adapted car.

Filmmaking project outs resilient Highland Cross participant in frame

In addition to these primary causes, a series of smaller grants will be distributed to charities across the region over the next month.

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