Hundreds of hikers aim to summit 130 'Archie' mountains in aid of children's charity

More than 265 hikers are set to summit 130 of Scotland’s highest mountains today (Saturday, June 4) as part of the 'All The Archies In One Day' challenge.

The fundraising event for children's charity the Archie Foundation aims to have at least one person at the top of each of the 130 'Archie' mountains - Scotland's highest mountains - on the same day. 

It's being led by Tayside Children’s Hospital anaesthetist Dr Paul Fettes, who is based at the Ninewells site in Dundee and is also a member of the Archie Foundation's Tayside fundraising committee. 

Dr Fettes led a relay covering all 130 of Scotland’s highest mountains in 15 days in 2015 and raised £40,000 for the charity in the process. He has now set himself and fellow mountaineers a new and even greater challenge for the local cause – to summit all 130 Archies in one day.

Paul said: “We have been truly overwhelmed with the support for our once in a lifetime challenge, with 265 individuals signed up. We now have all 130 Archie’s claimed by hikers and hope to smash our goal of having a person on each mountain in one day.

“The Archies are the mountains in Scotland over 1000m in height and with 100m drop on all sides. Munros (mountains in Scotland over 3000ft) are perhaps better known, but the maps have been metric for several decades now. I firmly believe that if Sir Hugh Munro were alive today then he would come up with the Archies."

People of a range of ages and abilities have signed up to take part in the challenge, the youngest is believed to be a toddler with the oldest being 78-year-old Meal Nan Tarmachan, Dr Fettes' mum. Quadruple amputee Jamie Andrew is tackling three of the mountains.

Chris Duke, Community Fundraising Officer for The Archie Foundation said: “This is an incredible challenge to get involved with, and we are in awe of how many have chosen to support us and take part. We are so grateful. Funds raised for this challenge will go towards our continued support of Tayside Children’s Hospital and will help us to expand our services and support in the region”

Dr Fettes added: “We have many hikers tackling two or more Archies, with one individual (Nick Record) taking on seven! As a group, we have raised £11,000 so far and I really hope that on the day we will receive even more donations and raise an incredible amount for an incredible charity. We are .going to paint the Scottish skyline with people.”

The Archie Foundation, provides support and services for babies, children and their families in Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and Aberdeen Neonatal Unit, Highland Children’s Unit and Tayside Children’s Hospital, as well as providing vital support for bereaved children and their families through Archie’s Child Bereavement Service in Grampian, which has seen a 150% increase in referrals to date this year