Young Workers Go For A 96 Mile Stroll In Scotland Earning £5000 Three Great Charities

The West Highland Way is not for the faint hearted at the best of times, but in the Summer Months and the Midge Season; an individual's fitness and determination can surely be tested.

Apart form the heat, the rough terrain, and the steepness of some of the paths to be trodden over a 96 mile route over a 5 day period; there are the plague of midges to contend with.

CWU Young Workers Officer Elli Long and her nine colleagues arrived safely looking none the worse for their adventure at Fort William following a 16 mile last day walk!

In preparation for their trek, health and safety was key and indeed the organisers ensured a good risk assessment of the route and instructions on what to wear, fatigue and dehydration precautions; and last but no least how to avoid suffering too many inevitable insect bites.

Whilst those taking part may not have realised it, but their's was an experience requiring good health and safety practices. Proving of course what all safety reps know, health and safety does not prevent risk - it manages it. Nor does it prevent people from having fun!

Elli has done her CWU Branch, Greater Mersey Amal proud and shown what Trade Unionists really do for the communities and social needs of this country. She and her 8 colleagues raised a massive £5,000 for 3 charities.

Now which one of them will become Union Safety Reps?

Their experience is a great example of risk management that all potential USR can learn form and see the everyday fun and adventures that can be gained through good health and safety practices.

After 96 Miles and 5 days Elli (left) and her 8 fellow trekkers reach the end!

This mammoth task was in response to motions 2,3 and 4 that were carried at the National Young Workers Conference 2017 the National Young Workers Committee have committed to a CWU Young Workers Charity Promise.

Their Charity Promise was to raise awareness and funds for three charities that work directly with young people who are struggling with mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts and the effects of homelessness -= Papyrus UK, Centrepoint and the Ron Todd Foundation

The team of 10 CWU young workers from across the Union's constituencies took on the 96 miles that is the West Highland Way Walk, took in Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Conic Hill and the shadow of Ben Nevis and finishing in Fort William.

The Devil's Staircase - One hell of a country walk!

Donations can still be made via their BT MyDonate team page, which unlike other Charity Sponsor websites, does not take a single penny in charges from your donation:

Elli Long is pictured last right

Source: CWU North West Youth (pics)

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