Twenty hospitality professionals from across Scotland are preparing to climb Mount Toubkal in Morocco this September in a bid to raise £50,000 for HIT Scotland's scholarship programme.
The 'HIT the Atlas' challenge will see the dedicated team tackle North Africa's highest peak (4,167m) from 17th – 24th September, helping fund life-changing and career-boosting training and development opportunities for people working across Scotland's hospitality industry.
The expedition aims to raise £50,000 for HIT Scotland and its renowned scholarship programme, which provides unrivalled development opportunities throughout the industry.
The gruelling five-day challenge will test participants' endurance, teamwork and determination while supporting the next generation of hospitality talent.
Standing at 4,167 metres, Mount Toubkal is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains and all of North Africa. The challengers, led by HIT Scotland’s CEO David Cochrane, will spend a week in Morocco completing acclimatisation walks before making a pre-dawn summit attempt to reach the peak at sunrise.
So far, the team of hospitality professionals, suppliers and associates have already raised more than £14,000 while training in Scotland.
Participants include members of the HIT Scotland team alongside representatives from Kinghouse Hotel, hi-hotels, Johnsons Stalbridge, The Maltmen, The Edinburgh Grand Hotel and Radisson Blu Edinburgh.
The charity has also organised a series of fundraising events to help them reach their target including a successful dinner aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, as well as the upcoming HIT Summer Sessions at The Collector’s Hall on 27th August.
The event at the newly opened event space within the AC Hotel Glasgow will be host to a night of fantastic food, drink and entertainment with Des Clarke bringing the comedy and Natalie James performing.
David Cochrane, Chief Executive of HIT Scotland, said: “HIT Scotland has always been about investing in people, and that's exactly why I'm taking on this challenge alongside such an incredible group of supporters from across our industry.
“Climbing Mount Toubkal will push us physically and mentally, but it pales in comparison to the impact our scholarship programme has on the lives and careers of those it supports.
"Every pound we raise will help create opportunities for people working in hospitality to develop their skills, grow their confidence and build long and successful careers. Our industry is built on passionate, talented people, and by investing in them we're investing in the future of Scottish hospitality. I hope everyone will get behind the team, whether that's by donating, attending one of our fundraising events or simply by cheering us on and following our journey.
"Standing on top of North Africa's highest mountain would be an incredible achievement, but reaching our £50,000 fundraising target would be an even greater one. That's the summit that really matters."
Richard Mayne, Deputy Chair of HIT Scotland and Cluster General Manager for the Radisson Blu Hotel and the Radisson Collection Edinburgh, said: “This will be my third climbing challenge with HIT Scotland, and I think it’s fair to say I’ve developed a passion for it. Having already completed the Great Wall of China and Kilimanjaro, I know just how rewarding these adventures are. It’s a real team building exercise, and the sense of achievement at the end is out of this world.
“On top of that, knowing the money raised is helping support the next generation of hospitality professionals makes the experience even more worthwhile.”
Tickets and tables are now on sale for the HIT Summer Sessions at The Collector’s Hall on 27th August, to buy a ticket or for more information, visit https://hitscotland.co.uk/all-events/collectorshall.
To support HIT the Atlas, you can donate via the JustGiving page: https://justgiving.com/campaign/hittheatlas.
For more information, contact:
hazel.brynes@tigerbond.com
07740 771 108
karen.devine@tigerbond.com
07912 780 832
