Hundreds of hikers to tackle Scotland's highest mountains in one day to raise money for the Archie Foundation

More than 265 hikers are set to take on the challenge of reaching the summit of over 100 of Scotland’s highest mountains on Saturday for a good cause.

The major fundraising event, which is part of the All The Archie’s in One Day challenge in aid of children’s charity The Archie Foundation, will see at least one person reach the summit of 130 mountains, which are over 1000m in height, on the same day.

The feat will be 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.

He previously 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.

Dr Fettes 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.”

The Archies’ namesake charity, 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.

Chris Duke, community fundraising officer for the charity 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.”