Kinlochleven firefighters all set to blaze a trail at Banchory Beast

The crew were inspired to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK by Patrick Macinnes’s uncle John Alex who lost his battle with the disease in 2022 after being diagnosed to late on.

"He spent the last year or so of his life raising awareness and funds for the charity in the process, encouraging people to get checked," said Patrick.

"He was truly inspirational. 

"And so, I wanted to continue in his memory to raise awareness and to help raise money to hopefully prevent families losing their loved ones from this awful disease."

In 2021 members of the crew took on the March the Month challenge, logging up 11,000 steps each day, raising £1,560, and in 2023 a group of them cycled from Kinlochleven to Inverness via the Great Glen Way, raising over £3,000.

This year’s event date is set for September 21. The big question is, are the Kinlochleven crew primed and ready?

"Yes and no," hedged Patrick.

"Alice is super-fit person who goes open water swimming most mornings and runs and cycles often. The rest of the guys all have e-bikes and have been making concise effort to get out and put real effort in.

"We are all upping our game this month in preparation."