RPS Fundraise for Water Aid with Daring Munro Challenge
This weekend, RPS tackled one of Scotland’s highest peaks in Munro to fundraise for Water Aid’s vital work in Rwanda.
30 August 2024 | 3 min read
The 2024 Munro Challenge took place on August 10th, inviting hundreds of participants, RPS included, to take part in the experience. The event took place almost 30 years since the first teams of water and wastewater workers took to Scotland’s highest peaks to raise money for charity.
Scotland's 282 Munros are over 3,000 feet high and scattered across twelve regions. The mountains were named after Sir Hugh Munro, who first documented them.
RPS has participated in this exciting and meaningful event for almost twenty years. However, after a period of diverging priorities and an intense backlog, it was Graduate Engineer, Daniel McGuigan, who decided to renew the tradition at RPS, stronger and more unified than ever.
“I saw Scottish Water publish something on LinkedIn about how they were championing this event and wanted to extend the invitation to anyone that works with them. I felt, as one of their dedicated partners, RPS should definitely be getting involved.”
“I think the work Water Aid does is commendable. I think anyone who works in the water industry would say so.” Daniel continued, explaining why Water Aid is an important organisation. “Almost one in five people in the world don't have a decent toilet of their own and almost one in ten don't have clean water close to home. In addition to this, more than a million deaths every year are caused by infections from unclean births. This is something that we ought to work together to give people and this is something anyone can do, by getting involved.”
Daniel encouraged participation in a multitude of ways. “We got involved with the marketing team, putting out a lot of comms. We also made our own little Microsoft Teams forum to see who would be interested. We linked together everyone at RPS who was participating.”
Innes Gilling, Assistant Modeller was one of these individuals who decided to participate. He shared how fundraising for this great cause has brought people together as well. “Providing clean water to communities in need is vital. The challenge presented a great opportunity to collaborate and network with other teams and members within the business while working towards a common goal. These events have also provided an opportunity for me to stay in contact with those whom I shared my graduate journey with, but to also connect with the more senior members of the RPS team”.
The RPS team decided to collectively undertake Ben Lui. But upon arriving at the stream marking its climb, the wind began to increase, and the rainfall followed. As there is no bridge, it usually requires a wade through the water to reach Ben Lui, however it is impassable during or after heavy rainfall. After several attempts, RPS decided to take on Ben More instead.
At 1,174m and with an elevation of 986m, this Munro made for an even more challenging climb. Along with this, the natural pyramid shape of the mountain makes it steep. Despite this and the weather incrementally growing more unstable., the team braved onwards regardless.
The team made their way up an extreme, curving vertical climb up the menacing mountain, rising above each step, ridge and rock. Along with the incline, the winds began climbing at a rate of 50 miles per hour and heavy downpours like comets landed on their backs the higher they rose. The team worked together and supported each other, resisting the formidable sway of the weather.
From here on, the pressure unfolded, and the team all began hauling up the mountain. The team continued, steadfast and determined till they finally reached the summit. Here, without catching a breath, they triumphantly unfolded their team flag, and stretched it out wide, admiring their victory and revelling in a successful conquest for a valiant cause! Despite the wind knocking them down right after!
The team shared their thoughts on their victory. Daniel says, “It was a great team spirit while climbing and it was an amazing feeling to be gathered together at the top of the Munro.” The event ended up raising an astounding £41,000 for WaterAid!
The team already has plans for the next charity event. Innes says “This challenge provides a platform for future fundraising events, such as our next social event, a charity cycle from Edinburgh to Glasgow. Throughout my time at RPS, the number of colleagues willing to participate in social value events has grown and further reinforced a positive culture at RPS.”
Innes concluded with an inspirational message for the RPS team to reflect on. “Working within the water industry, we all recognise the challenges and costs associated with providing a functioning water distribution network, and the Munro challenge is a brilliant opportunity to give back to the wider community and make a difference.”
Interested in a career at RPS?
It’s an exciting time to be working for our UK Water Consultancy team as the workload in the water industry really takes off. With a broad portfolio of long-term framework agreements in place, we are ideally placed to help our clients deliver on the challenges facing them over the coming years - whether that is reducing leakage, pollution and flooding, or improving the environment and levels of service to their customers.