Volunteers from SSEN Transmission and partners take on endurance challenge for charity

Image: SSEN Transmission staff and partners come together for a great cause.

Team of 20 to cycle, row and run the length of electricity transmission cable route to help raise vital funds.

On Saturday 31 May, the group will collectively cover a staggering 322 miles - the entire cable route distance from Gremista to Kergord as well as the Shetland HVDC link to the Scottish mainland and back again - by running, cycling, and rowing in shifts on machines at Clickimin Leisure Centre in Lerwick. Their mission: to complete the challenge within a day while raising crucial funds for Beatson Cancer Charity and Shetland-based mental health charity Mind Your Head.

The event, inspired by SSEN Transmission’s historic link connecting Shetland and mainland Scotland for the first time, is designed to test the resilience and teamwork of the volunteers while raising funds for two important organisations which were nominated by the teams. Each participant will take turns on rowing machines, running machines, or cycle machines, ensuring the distance is conquered together. In an additional show of teamwork, even more project volunteers will get involved virtually – with additional team members supporting the group’s fundraising efforts by cycling, running or rowing virtually to add to the overall distance tally. 

“This challenge mirrors the collaboration and dedication behind the ongoing Kergord to Gremista project,” said Peter Henderson, SSEN Transmission’s Occupational Health & Safety Advisor for the project. “We’re not just pushing ourselves physically—we’re raising awareness and funds for two charities that play an essential role in our communities, which have a very special place amongst our teams. We’ve been training hard ready to collectively tick off both project distances - the Kergord-Gremista connection here in Shetland as well as the longer HVDC link cable to the mainland and back again - but I know as a team we’ll rise to the challenge in support of these amazing charities.”

SSEN Transmission Project Manager Jared Deeney said:

“The national importance of the projects that are underway to connect Shetland to the mainland electricity network cannot be understated. The effort that has gone into the completion of these projects has been inspirational to see and be a part of over the last four years. The entire team felt that a special event was necessary to mark the significance of the occasion whilst also giving something back to two very special charities, and we’re looking forward to taking on the challenge and seeing how much we can raise for them.”

Omexom UK & RoI Head of Communications Steve Mosley: 

“It’s fantastic to see the teams, who have put in so much work throughout this incredible project, come together for this challenge. Supporting the amazing work done by these local and national charities is a real testament to the culture of sustainability in our respective businesses."

Peter Ettrick, Project Director, at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure:

“Connecting people and places, and enhancing communities where we work, is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re proud to be supporting two amazing charities that make a positive difference to lives on the islands. By taking part in this challenge, our extended team is helping to create a lasting health and wellbeing legacy long after Gremista to Kergord has finished. Good luck and thank you to everyone who is taking part.”

Beatson Cancer Charity supports people affected by cancer every step of the way, making the journey easier by transforming the way cancer care is funded and delivered. They provide services, as well as funding specialists, research and education to invest in a better future for cancer patients and their families.   

Heilidh Wilson, Corporate Fundraiser at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: 

“We’re incredibly grateful to the team at SSEN Transmission, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and Omexom for going to such lengths – quite literally – to support us. Every mile they cycle, run or row helps us continue to be there for people facing cancer and their families, offering vital care and support when they need it most.”

Mind Your Head is a mental health charity based in Shetland, dedicated to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing across the community. The organisation offers a range of support services, including one-on-one sessions, wellness programmes, and initiatives tailored for young people and families, working to actively raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing throughout Shetland.  

Anouska Civico, CEO of Mind Your Head, said:

“We are extremely grateful to have been chosen by local staff who are participating in the fundraiser as they will know better than anyone else how amazing our community is in supporting events like this and how these much-needed funds will help our charity to keep on growing and supporting our community. We would like to wish the best of luck to everyone participating and thank everyone for their kind donation as well as raising the profile of our charity and the work we do.”

Support for the charity event is pouring in from colleagues, friends, and local businesses, with donations helping both charities continue their invaluable work. The public is encouraged to show their support by donating or cheering on the volunteers during their high-energy challenge at Clickimin Leisure Centre on Saturday 31 May.

For more information on how to contribute, please visit the charity fundraising pages:

Beatson’s - https://www.justgiving.com/page/peter-henderson-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=015

Mind Your Head - https://gofund.me/09286270