Colleagues in Aberdeen gear up to get muddy for charity

A team of colleagues from IHS Markit in Aberdeen are gearing up to brave the Banchory Beast Race on Saturday 25 September to raise vital funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.

The team of three, Beth Sinclair, 41, Martin Insley, 38, and Patricia Lavin, 41, decided to leave their desks behind next weekend, swap their laptops for trainers, and get muddy at the incredible 10k obstacle race at Knockburn Loch, Banchory.

They all have a personal connection to the cause with family and friends having been affected by chest, heart and stroke conditions.

Having already smashed their £500 fundraising target, the team are hoping to raise even more to make sure that people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions in their local community get the help and support they need to rebuild their lives.

The Banchory Beast Race is a 10k course featuring over 30 different obstacles, testing competitors’ endurance, strength, and ability to withstand mud and water! Its location on the picturesque banks of Knockburn Loch make this event one of the most popular in the fundraising calendar.

The determined colleagues can’t wait to get stuck into the mud and tackle the Beast!

Beth Sinclair, 41, Senior Transformation Data Analyst at IHS Markit, said:

“IHS Markit encourages us to get involved with charities and volunteer our time. I wanted to have something worthwhile to look forward to after a difficult 18 months and roped my colleagues into it while I was at it!

“As a team we have already surpassed our £500 target, which is amazing, so now my personal target is finishing the race!

“My granny died from a stroke, and it was such a scary time for her and everyone around her. The devastating effect a stroke can have on a person is terrifying. It’s great to be raising funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and helping stroke survivors and their families.”

Martin Insley, 38, IT Director, Financial Services, at IHS Markit, said:

“I have run and walked many marathon-distance events, 50km trail races and 100km trail runs so the Beast Race is just one more crazy event in a long history of crazy events and definitely the muddiest!

“It’s going to be great to be back at an event! This will be the first one I’ve taken part in since the start of the pandemic.

“Both of my wife’s grandads have had strokes that have significantly impacted their mobility and quality of life. In addition, my wife suffers from severe asthma and other related conditions – but she doesn’t let that hold her back from running marathons and ultra-marathons! A true inspiration!

“I want to help make a difference to others experiencing similar challenges from chest, heart and stroke conditions in my local region. Through our fundraising, I hope we can provide people with the tools, both mentally and physical, to experience a better quality of life following a traumatic event such as a stroke.”

Patricia Lavin, 41, Product Owner at IHS Markit, said:

“I’ve taken part in the Banchory Beast Race before and I really enjoyed it! I love to sign-up for events as part of our fundraising at work to support important causes. It encourages me to challenge myself and it’s great to do these kinds of things with colleagues and help the charity at the same time.

“The work that Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland does is really important to me. My father suffered a heart attack when he was 50, but thankfully we got another 21 years with him following surgery.

“A close friend of mine has a family member who recently experienced a stroke and I’ve seen and heard how much it is impacting them and just how crucial support, information and understanding the condition has been for them.

“Through our fundraising, I hope to help make sure that people have the information, support and advice to be prepared, mentally and practically, for the changes that occur following a stroke.”

Hayley Simpson, Community, Events and Fundraising Manager at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said:

“It is fantastic to have the team from IHS Markit taking part in the Banchory Beast Race. It’s going to be an amazing, fun-filled day and we’re delighted to have their support.

“They have done an incredible job in smashing their fundraising target already. The funds raised will help make sure people across Scotland get the support they need to live their lives to the full after they return home from hospital.

“It’s always great to have the support of local businesses and organisations. Events like the Beast Race are a good teambuilding activity where colleagues can have fun and raise money for a cause close to their hearts. We would encourage other companies to get involved in next years’ Beast Race events!”

You can help boost the team’s fundraising total by visiting their page: justgiving.com/fundraising/martin-insley