Plymouth lecturer tackles Scotland's Wilds for charity
Law Lecturer Ann Lyon has a point to prove as a competitor in a renowned Scottish endurance event created to raise funds and awareness for the plight of ex-services’ personnel and their families.
The 56 year-old lecturer in the Law Department of The University of Plymouth, is a former TA army reservist and an enthusiastic supporter of military causes.
The Cateran Yomp is a 54 mile endurance hike around Perthshire’s historic Cateran Trail and she has set a target of completing the course within 22 hours and to smash her sponsorship target, with your support.
Ann says: “I am a former TA soldier and am just about to complete 12 years with the Cadet Forces. I have taken part in The Cateran Yomp twice before – Silver distance first time, Gold second. I was attracted to it initially for the physical challenge, and the important cause – ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.”
A famous test of endurance in the Scottish Highlands couldn’t be more different than Ann’s day job at The University of Plymouth. But she is showing the same level of commitment to tackling the Cateran Yomp this summer.
She says: “The organisation is great (not least the food!) and when doing it I am among kindred spirits and this time I have set myself the target of beating my previous time and trying to push the boat out with my fundraising – hopefully with some local support.”
The 2016 Alliance Trust Cateran Yomp will take place on 11 June 2016. In 2015, 600 intrepid participants had raised £400,000 for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.
This annual event has now raised a grand total of £1.8 for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and the Alliance Trust Foundation, which directs funding to community groups, local charities and voluntary organisations, nominated and voted for by Alliance Trust staff.
Ann Lyon is available for interview and photos as required, and we’d appreciate any publicity you can give her to assist her fundraising for what is a very worthwhile cause.
The contestants can count on the support of The Cateran Yomp Ambassador and Scottish Paralympic powerlifter Micky Yule. Micky is an athlete for whom ABF The Soldiers Charity is a cause with profound personal resonance.
Five years ago, the 36-year-old former Search Advisor in the Royal Engineers, stepped on a pressure-plate IED in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, and saw his life changed forever. One leg was amputated by the blast, the other while undergoing over 40 surgeries that followed.
Now lifting weights of over 190kg, Micky is currently in training for the Rio 2016 Paralympics and will travel to Brazil for the opening ceremony in September 2015. His appearance at The Cateran Romp is his final public appearance before the Rio games.
Visit www.soldierscharity.org/yomp for more information or ‘like’ facebook.com/CateranYomp
