ADVENTURERS have broken through the £2 million barrier in their epic fundraising efforts for charities, thanks to help from Breaking Strain Events.
The Edinburgh-based event management company has guided more than 500 people through sponsored expeditions to raise money for charities including Beatson Cancer, Children 1st, and Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
Fundraising teams from companies and organisations including Savills, ScottishPower Renewables, and the Celtic Football Club Foundation have taken part in trips to the Alps, the Arctic Circle, and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Those journeys have included more than 25 expeditions through Rovaniemi in Finland, where – over the course of three days and two nights – participants trek across 65 kilometres in deep snow, with temperatures falling as low as minus-42C.
Adventurers taking part in the company’s trips have included Celtic legend Tom Boyd, television chef Tony Singh, and Cor Hutton, who became the first quadruple amputee to scale Mount Kilimanjaro.
Breaking Strain Events was founded in 2013 by Lee Peyton, who left his job with the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service in 2016 to focus on running his business.
As well as its UK clients, his company is now welcoming participants from Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, as well as Fins who want to tackle the Arctic Circle trek on their doorstep.
Mr Peyton said: “Breaking through the £2 million barrier is not only a major milestone for our fundraisers and their charities but also for Breaking Strain Events.
“We’ve led people on adventures to some of the most spectacular places on the planet and raised money for some incredible good causes along the way too.
“Each expedition is different, but our participants particularly love our Arctic trek through Finland – although it’s extreme, it’s manageable with training and the support from our Breaking Strain team, who are incredibly experienced in these environments.
“People love the landscape, they love being able to do the full challenge within a week, it’s a team building challenge like no other.”
Mr Peyton, who also spent six years in the army, took part in races including the Yukon Arctic Ultra, Arrowhead 135, and Rovaniemi 150 while working as a firefighter.
When the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns began, he set up Six Feet Safety, a company that offers health and safety advice to the television and film industries.
Mr Peyton added: “Nothing beats the thrill when someone sees the Northern Lights for the first time.
“I love the temperatures in the Arctic – which might make me sound a wee bit weird – and the incredible landscape.
“These expeditions are such a complete break from people’s every-day routines, and they can change people’s lives – not just the participants, but also the people who benefit from the help that the charities offer.
“Each person’s challenge is different and equally as relevant, whether that’s a 10-kilometre run or a multi-day overseas expedition.”
Breaking Strain Events’ next big project is Run the Blades at Whitelee, Europe’s largest onshore wind farm, on Eaglesham Moor, south of Glasgow, in July.
The event, which is now in its eighth year, is Scotland’s largest trail run, with competitors tackling 10-kilometre, half marathon, and 50-kilometre ultra-courses.
The company is also returning to Mount Kilimanjaro this year, and next year will add Mount Tobkal in Morrocco to its itinerary.
