The Crown Estate Aquaculture Awards

Community Initiative The Salmon Run

The Scottish Salmon Company

Contact: Rebecca Dean Environmental Manager [email protected] Community Initiative - The Salmon Run

In 2013, The Scottish Salmon Company created a fund raising initiative to bring additional benefits to the areas in which we work, whilst also letting the wider community know we are more than “just” fish farmers. The event was to help coastal communities be aware of aquaculture in their area, and to provide an avenue to share some of the wider potential benefits of having the industry in their locality. In addition, the event was to promote healthy living and wellbeing for staff across the company, which in turn may positively influence the lifestyle choices in the local communities. The plan was to provide an opportunity to raise money for local charities through a sponsored run that would reach all locations in which we operate, and would be completed by Scottish Salmon Company staff from all areas of the business. And thus The Salmon Run was born.

The Salmon Run 2013 was based entirely in the Western Isles, and 25 staff covered over 200 miles during the three day event. Starting in Lochboisdale in South Uist, staff ran, cycled, rowed and walked their way up through the islands, via the farm sites and communities we work in. The route passed through Petersport, Uiskevagh, Grimsay and Eoport, and after the ferry from , the run went through Geocrab, Plocrapol and Tarbert. There was an off road stage with an arduous climb over the “Harris Hills around Glen Lacasdail” and then carried on route through Maarig, down to Loch Odhairn, and then through Ballallan, , and back round to .

Based on the success of 2013, it was decided to expand the adventure the following year, and The Salmon Run 2014 involved over 90 staff, covering more than 500 miles. Staff completed the journey in relay, from the Western Isles down to Arran, going around the islands again, and from Portree to Torridon, around Mull, and Arran, along both sides of Loch Fyne and a final leg following The Water of Leith in Edinburgh.

Prior to The Salmon Run 2013, staff taking part were asked to nominate charities that they wished to donate funds to and, through this, four different charitable causes were selected. The Leverburgh Lifeboats were nominated, as an important and lifesaving venture that provides a vital service for island based communities. The Leanne Fund based in Stornoway, a locally important charity providing opportunities to disadvantaged children in Lewis, Harris and the Uists, was also chosen. Staff felt that almost all individuals are now sadly affected by cancer in some way, and thus the invaluable support from Macmillan Cancer was identified to receive donations. In addition, the SSC chosen charity, The Sandpiper Trust, which provides emergency medical bags to rural doctors, was selected. In 2013, The SSC Salmon Run raised £5300 which was match funded by the company, and just over £2500 went to each of the community charities.

In 2014, The SSC Salmon Run raised £8429, which was donated in full to The Sandpiper Trust, specifically to purchase defibrillators for Medi-bags in the areas in which we operate. Defibrillators are recognised as crucial First Response emergency equipment that saves lives when time counts and are vital life savers in rural and remote areas. As a result of the efforts in 2014, defibrillators are being purchased in Benbecula, Stornoway, Tighnabruaich/Cowal, Lochgilphead, Mull and Torridon.

In order to raise money participating staff had sponsor forms and SSC Salmon Run opened a charity donation website. In addition, during each stage of the Run, support staff were out in force with ‘shaky buckets’. The donations were not only from family and friends of staff but from locals and visitors to the areas through which we passed. These events raised awareness of not only the important work of the charities we were supporting but also of aquaculture and its role in the communities we work in. Many people who donated at the side of the road took time to ask who we were, and find out more about aquaculture, from a company and industry Scottish wide perspective. This gave an opportunity to share with people the many aspects of aquaculture in today, and was interesting and enlightening for many.

The organisation of both the 2013 and 2014 Salmon Run was led by Penny Hawdon, with support from her colleagues in the Environmental Department, and was a fantastic feat of coordination and coercion. The events brought staff together from all parts of the company with both marine and freshwater site, processing and office staff contributing to different stages of The Run. The Salmon Run was a motivating event, inspiring staff to get fit and active, and an exciting level of competition developed. At the same time, great camaraderie was shown between staff, many of whom were paired on the route but did not usually work together. It was uplifting to see the encouragement given amongst staff, particularly when the going got tough and legs started to tire.

The memorable challenges are too many to list specifically and the thanks we need to give to all the staff who so willing took part is limitless - every mile counted. As a result of the epic efforts made by all staff, a fantastic amount was raised for our chosen community charities. A massive thank you also goes out to all those who donated, from the individuals along the route to the larger companies - every penny counted. It’s early days but already we are thinking of the Salmon Run 2015 and we hope to see you along the way, and you can help The Scottish Salmon Company raise funds for the local community charities.