Munro Mission Complete as Last Team Reaches Summit for WaterAid Projects

Scottish Water’s Munro Challenge 2024 is “mission complete” for more than 200 hikers who took to the country’s highest peaks to raise money for WaterAid. 

The summer-long adventure for teams taking part concluded with the very first person signing up for the challenge, summiting his chosen Munro with a team that endured the worst of the summer weather. 

Andrew Steel and colleagues conquered mighty Derry Cairngorm on a day of high winds, rain fronts, and low temperatures on September 14th. 

That summit marked the last of 25 peaks climbed in total by 207 people raising £46,382 for projects in Rwanda delivering clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene. Two teams even managed to venture up one Munro, Ben Chonzie in Perthshire, by cycling to the top and back. 

“Between the 2022 and 2024 Munro Challenges, we have raised more than £80,000 for WaterAid projects in both Rwanda and Malawi, supported by Scottish Water employees and colleagues throughout the sector.”

Andrew Walker
Head of Corporate Affairs, Scottish Water

Team leader Andrew, a maintenance planning technician with Scottish Water, said: “The conditions pushed the team members to their limits. There weren’t many views at height, but we had a pleasant walk-in, and we were aided by a good approach path towards the summit. That’s where the wind blew its hardest, but the team pushed on to conquer their Munro. 

“We raised just short of £1500, and we’d like to thank everyone who contributed. It means so much to have had so many words of encouragement and the money raised will make a life-changing impact for communities in Rwanda.” 

Andrew Walker, Head of Corporate Affairs, who led a team on an ascent of Ciste Dhubh in Kintail, added: “After a disappointing decision to postpone the event on June 6 due to adverse weather conditions – focused solely on the safety of those taking part – we re-phased the fund-raising over the summer with teams venturing out across a series of dates. 

“I am delighted so many people took part, with great support from our main sponsors George Leslie Ltd and RSE, participants from across the water sector and beyond, and that so much money has been raised. 

“Between the 2022 and 2024 Munro Challenges, we have raised more than £80,000 for WaterAid projects in both Rwanda and Malawi, supported by Scottish Water employees and colleagues throughout the sector.”

Erin Cawley, Senior Water Industry Partnership Officer of WaterAid Scotland, said: “We are thrilled that so many hikers braved the Scottish weather, reaching the summit of their chosen Munro to transform lives through access to clean water.

"This year’s fundraising is supporting the Accelerating Access project in Rwanda which is working to extend the existing water supply network to connect 46,845 people to clean water. Together, hikers managed to raise an incredible amount of money which will make a huge impact to communities in Rwanda. Thank you so much for your support and we hope to see many of you again on the hills in the future!” 

Paul Davidson, Chair of Scottish Water’s employee fundraising committee, added: “It’s so great to see the Munro Challenge go from strength to strength since its return. It’s always been such a popular event in Scotland and a fantastic way to raise funds for WaterAid's essential work.” 

Stephen Slessor, RSE Chief Executive Officer, said: “As main sponsors for the Munro Challenge 2024, RSE was delighted to continue our support of WaterAid in conjunction with Scottish Water and George Leslie. Our teams thoroughly enjoyed taking on the Munro climbs across various regions and contributing to raising funds as part of striving to provide water equality to areas with poor accessibility across Rwanda.” 

David Ross, MD of George Leslie Ltd, said: “We are proud to have supported the WaterAid Munro Challenge as one of the main sponsors this year, alongside RSE. We managed to get 30 folk up the hills, a lot of whom were first-time climbers with everyone rising to the challenge. We have raised £16,000 to date and are delighted to support the work that Wateraid do to improve access to clean water and sanitation for communities in Rwanda. Congratulations to all the hillwalkers from all organisations that took part in the Munro Challenge - well done Team. We are already looking forward to the next WaterAid Munro Challenge!” 

Euan Harrison, Project Director of Mott MacDonald, who sponsored Scotland’s most southerly Munro Ben Lomond and whose employees also took part, said: “The WaterAid Munro Challenge once again highlights our commitment to social responsibility in communities across the world and the power of collaboration in which Mott MacDonald and our industry partners bring to the communities of Rwanda and Malawi. Our efforts provide these communities with regular access to clean drinking water and sanitary conditions, something which is often taken for granted. Congratulations to everyone who participated and raised vital funds.”