A team of Deeside youngsters who trekked, cycled and sailed across Scotland for charity have smashed their fundraising target.
Pupils and staff from Banchory Academy set off on the gruelling journey last month, which took them more than 300 miles from the west to the east of the country in just nine days.
The team set themselves a target of £15,000, but have already raised £17,000, with donations are still coming in. The cash will be donated to limbless veterans charity Blesma and the Lucy Blackman Trust, which provides support to the families of missing people around the world.
Their efforts mean that over the last six years, the school has raised more than £80,000 for good causes by taking part in the Across Scotland challenge.
The 14 pupils, aged 13 to 15, were joined by two members of the Blesma charity and four school staff, including deputy rector Colin Nichol – who designed this year’s route, which took them from Barr to Butt of Lewis, Stornoway and Ullapool before finally reaching Tarbat Ness Point, near Tain.
Mr Nichol said: “The trip was a great success with all 20 members of the team managing to complete the challenge without so much as a single puncture. The weather was pretty awful which meant there were some really tough days, but the young people coped extremely well.
“By the end of the trip we had covered a total of 325 miles, across nine islands in nine days – which was an incredible achievement for everyone that took part.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has donated funds for the two charities which will hopefully go some way towards helping them continue their excellent work.”
The group was also joined by former Royal Marine Paul Basford, who is now a project manager for Imes, an Aberdeen-based global engineering and lifting inspection services firm which supported the team by transporting their equipment between stages.
Mr Basford, who also completed last year’s trip, praised everyone who had taken part and said: “Despite the rain, wind, long days and mountainous terrain, the young people involved all showed great determination to complete the challenge. They should all be extremely proud of their achievement.”