A group of forces veterans raised more than £10,000 during a series of gruelling challenges in the Highlands this weekend.
Former servicemen from the 4th Royal Tank Regiment organised The Blue Flash Challenge to tie in with Saturday’s Armed Forces Day.
They had set themselves the task of raising £10,000 to support the work done by Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which raises money for children of serving members of the armed forces who have lost their lives.
The challenge began with a sponsored march of nearly 60 miles across the Monadhliath mountains from Roy Bridge to Inverness in under 24 hours beginning on Friday morning.
This was undertaken by regiment veterans, all over the age of 50.
And then a sponsored Blue Flash Dash from Dores to Inverness was held on Saturday morning by friends and family of those taking part in the larger event.
Both groups joined together on the outskirts of Inverness and marched into the city to Inverness Castle, accompanied by the pipes and drums.
An Armed Forces Day church service of dedication and remembrance was held at the Old High Kirk, Inverness, where a bench, commissioned by Blue Flash Challenge, and provided by volunteers from Apex UTurn in Stranraer, was presented to a representative of Raigmore Hospital for the new garden area of the children’s unit.
It is hoped the inaugural event could become a national endurance competition.
Roger Fisher, chair of the Blue Flash Challenge planning group said: “One outcome of this event has been the promotion of health and well-being in the community, and enhanced social engagement.
“This is not just a military event. The success of the Blue Flash Challenge must be attributed to the collective efforts of many individuals, service organisations, community networks and local businesses. One example of that support is the community of Foyers and Stratherrick.
“I applaud the generosity of each and every member of the public who have supported our efforts to acknowledge our debt to the children of our fallen.
“In doing so, they have all helped us exceed our fundraising target of £10,000.”