Stronsay pupils in training for five-mile log pull

Two Stronsay Junior High School pupils are pulling out all the stops – and a 27kg log - to help raise funds for repair work to a valuable lifesaving resource on the island - the community’s First Responder antenna.

Cooke Aquaculture has already made a donation towards the repair bill, and now Howard, P7, and Zander McQuaid, P5, want to attempt a five-mile log pull to raise £500 and cover the outstanding amount.

Aged just 11 and 9, the boys are always coming up with “harebrained schemes”, according to their Mum, Louise.

“Scrambling down cliffs, pier jumping, or running around in full camo gear, practising military games.  They are set to follow in their Dad's footsteps as a Royal Marine Commandos and are always pushing themselves to do adventurous activities,” she said.

“We had this old telegraph pole and the boys would be messing around with it, hauling it around and we said offhand, that would be great to do a log pull.  When we saw the post on the Stronsay Facebook page about the First Responder's bill for the antenna, which was damaged during a storm, they thought it would be a great opportunity to pull their log and raise funds!  The boys are always happy to help out one of the First Reponder’s on the island with odd jobs and are keen to get their hands dirty so offered to do this challenge.

“They have a harness attached to the log to drag it five miles and will have carry handles if they need to lift it for some sections.  They are attempting to pull the log in two hours from the south end of the island, finishing in Whitehall village.  They have a few weeks of training and will complete the challenge on Friday 13 May at 4pm.  

“It's invaluable so our First Responders can always be contacted here on Stronsay.  Cooke Aquaculture kindly made a donation of half the repair bill, so the boys are looking to give something back to help cover the outstanding amount,” Louise added.

There will be donation buckets available or folk can donate at Stronsay First Responders antenna repair, organized by Louise McQuaid

Community First Responders are volunteers who are trained by the Scottish Ambulance Service to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live or work. Their aim is to reach a potential life-threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew or a Dr or nurse arrives.