Invesco Highland Race

This September a team at Lansdown Place Financial Management will be cycling, hiking and canoeing 60 miles in 24 hours, from east to west Scotland, in an effort to be crowned Winner of the Invesco Perpetual Highland Adventure Race 2011. The Highland Adventure Race takes place on the 24th of September and is in aid of the Mitchemp Trust.

This year’s Highland Challenge will see teams starting with a 36.2 mile mountain bike race from Inverness travelling to Fort Augustus, then a 9 mile journey along the Caledonian Canal via canoe with a final gruelling ascent of Ben Nevis to reach the summit 4409ft up. Not exactly for the feint hearted, I think you will agree!

The Race is a team event made up of 4-6 race participants; Lansdown’s team is 7 strong and 1-2 support crew, with a minimum of 4 people taking part in each of the race challenges at any one time. For the ultra-competitive, all participants can compete in all 3 stages and push themselves to complete the race in the fastest possible time.

Each team will be supported by a support crew who will drive the equipment around the event, set up camp, navigate and keep the team supplied with plenty of food and water.

We caught up with Steve Brice, Senior Corporate Benefits Consultant at Lansdown to see what the team have been doing to get ready for this challenge.

‘We have been training separately as we all live a fair distance from each other, we all have our strengths and weaknesses in terms of the different stages but that’s why it’s a team event. We are looking to raise around £4000 for The Mitchemp Trust, a great charity that takes vulnerable young people between 11 and 14 years and teaches them social skills, the importance of team work and about taking responsibility. I have to give particular thanks to Colin Isaacs at Guy Salmon Land Rover in Bristol who very kindly provided the support vehicle, a Land Rover Discovery 4”.

Colin Isaacs, Dealer Principal at Guy Salmon Land Rover in Bristol, said “We are delighted to help this very worthwhile cause and felt that a Land Rover Discovery 4 was the perfect support vehicle for the team. We wish them every success in the race and raising funds for The Mitchemp Trust.”

MEET THE TEAM

Steve Brice
Steve Brice aged 44 and follows Rugby Union. ‘I’m looking forward to following England’s performance in New Zealand this year, as sadly my playing days are long past. I will be hoping to hear updates on Sat from the Kiwi vs France match and Eng vs Romania from the support team whilst we are away!
I generally enjoy keeping fit and keeping up with my 13 year old daughter.’

Illa Phoursa
Ilia is part of the Corporate Benefits team of Lansdown Place, 29 years of age and loves everything that is physically challenging. He plays different sports and his current passion is Muay Thai. Born in Russia, he moved to UK at the age of 15, attended University of Bristol, during which time he fell in love with the city and settled down with his girlfriend.

Neil Rushton
Neil joined LP last year as a Private Wealth Adviser and specialises in providing financial advice to medical professionals. Neil is 31 and lives in Bristol with his wife Nicola and two dogs Frank and Alfred. As well as regular walks with his dogs, Neil enjoys watching and playing most sports and looks forward to a refreshing Somerset cider after matches.

Joe Cooper
Joe recently joined Lansdown Place as a Private Wealth adviser and quickly joined the Highland Challenge team. He is 30 years old and lives with his wife Christine in Cheltenham. He enjoys town life such as the renowned festivals and other events. Outside of work his interests include cultural and adventure travel, personal fitness, live music and sport, eating out and good films to list a few.

Paula Curran
Paula Curran joined Lansdown place a year ago as a private wealth advisor. Outside of work her hobbies are Netball playing with a local team and currently preparing for the up and coming season. Paula is 29 and lives in Bristol with her husband James.

Chris Couzins-Short
Chris Couzins-Short is the sixth member of the team participating in the events and is currently overseas training hard for the challenge with his family in France!

Deirdre O’Looney
Deirdre O’Looney will be our support driver for the weekend providing much needed refreshments and help during the various stages of the event.

We hope you will join us in supporting Lansdown Place this September 24th by donating just a few pounds to the Mitchemp Trust, the Lansdown Place sponsorship page can be found by clicking here.