Digby Brown to donate £17,490 after smashing Scottish Courts Challenge

Digby Brown Solicitors completed its Scottish Courts Challenge in just 10hrs and 26mins - and raised even more money for charity after clocking more than 300 extra miles.

On Friday last week a team of 180 walkers, runners and cyclists aimed to conquer a 1,443-mile virtual loop of the country’s civil courts in less than 24 hours.

Not only did they reach the target at 5.02pm but they went on to clock a grand total of 1,749 miles, once all those still walking, running and cycling were included.

The firm originally pledged to donate £10 for every completed mile on the 1,443 mile route but have now agreed to instead donate £10 for EVERY mile walked to ensure everyone’s contribution is recognised.

This means a total of £17,490 will now be shared between the firm’s charity partners – £3,060 more than the expected maximum.

Digby Brown Chief Executive Fraser Oliver, who also cycled on the day, said: “Last week I spoke of hoping to create something fun and worthwhile that brought the team together again and we have certainly achieved that.

“Not only was the target reached but it was surpassed by a huge margin and that is testament to the dedication and effort of our staff.

“The key to this challenge was all about team work and although the maths suggested an average of eight miles for each person the added dynamic of a time limit gave it a totally different feel.

“Ironically, I even wondered if the good weather would cause issues with the heat but yet again the team stepped up and delivered incredible results.

“Achieving this goal as one team and delivering such excellent results to our local charity partners really matters to us and I am genuinely delighted to be able to confirm the final standings.”

Data for the Scottish Courts Challenge shows the first leg of the event was completed at 6.36am on Friday with the 1,443 target completed by 5.02pm.

Although the mission was a team effort there were some incredible individual contributions.

The day was started by Welfare Rights Advisor Jacqueline Lange who enjoyed an early morning four-mile walk with her husband around East Kilbride.

Dundee Partner Robert Kernaghan clocked 13.1 miles on a rowing machine as a nod to the island-based courts.

Financial Analyst Laura Murphy completed a 20km cycle to Hamilton Sheriff Court while Treasury Manager Karen Whitelaw completed a seven-mile walk around Falkirk.

While Partner David Wilson and Associate Sam Cowie literally took the challenge to another level after ascending the 1,291 metres of the Munro, Cairn Toul.

The charities that will now share in the £17,490 total are:

•    Glasgow Local Charity - JMA Trust
•    Edinburgh Local Charity - Health in Mind
•    Dundee Local Charity - NICU Ninewells
•    Inverness Local Charity - Mikey’s Line
•    Kirkcaldy Local Charity - Support in Mind Scotland, Fife Services
•    Aberdeen Local Charity - Sunrise Partnership
•    Ayr Local Charity - Whiteleys Retreat