13 Jun 2024

A team of 50 from Babcock complete the epic Cateran Yomp challenge

A team of 50 from Babcock have raised more than £16,500 so far for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) during the 13th Cateran Yomp.

Participants from Babcock, the headline sponsor of this year’s Cateran Yomp, joined almost 1,000 soldiers, veterans, and their families, aged 17-79, to march up to 54 miles in 24 hours across the scenic Scottish Highlands.

Yompers set off in sunshine at 6am on Saturday, with the event challenging teams to walk 22, 36 or 54 miles around the foothills of the Cairngorms. They were joined at the starting line by veteran Mark Harding, an ambassador for the ABF, after he walked 160 miles to the event from his home in Cumbria.

Babcock’s Duncan Platt was the event’s joint first finisher – running the gruelling course in just 10 hours and 45 minutes. Those completing the 54-mile route typically walked more than 110,000 steps. 

The Army’s National Charity, ABF provides a lifetime of support to serving soldiers, former soldiers, and their immediate families when they are in need, minimising hardship and encouraging independence and dignity.

So far, more than £575,000 has been raised from this year’s Cateran Yomp.

James Innes, Head of Social Impact, Babcock, said: “Babcock is proud to work in partnership with the Army Benevolent Fund, our collaboration enables us to further strengthen our support by inspiring the next generation of Army family. We work side by side with the British Army delivering critical equipment, support and essential technical training, as well as providing employment opportunities for service leavers and reservists.

“Well done to the ABF for organising the successful Cateran Yomp. A huge congratulations to everyone who took part in the trek and raised money for this important cause. Well done to the Cadets, who were participating in our inaugural Babcock Cadet Challenge. Your enthusiasm and teamwork over the weekend were inspirational.” 

The Cateran Yomp has raised millions of pounds for the charity, with donations funding everything from wheelchair ramps for soldiers’ homes, to respite care and personal recovery plans for injured soldiers returning from the front line. In FY 23/24 alone, the charity supported around 75,000 members of the Army Family in 51 countries around the world. The youngest beneficiary was just one day old, with the eldest aged 104.

Reflecting on an extraordinary weekend, Major General Tim Hyams CB OBE, Chief Executive of the Army Benevolent Fund, commented: “The Cateran Yomp forms a significant element of the charity’s annual fundraising efforts, and this year has seen over 1,100 sign up for the event. I am extremely grateful to every single Yomper, all of whom have demonstrated exceptional mental and physical resilience, and an evident sense of teamwork.  In so doing, they have made a tangible difference to our ability, as the Army’s national charity, to be there for soldiers, for life.”