Alistair Marshall, a dairy farmer in Dumfries and Galloway who has been chair of RHET since 2021, will be cycling across each of the 13 Countryside Initiatives. Alistair hopes the Chairmans Challenge will raise £10,000 to support RHET to continue to provide free educational activities and experiential learning for young people aged 3 -18 years.

I'm immensely proud to be the Chairman of RHET, which each year makes it possible for 70,000 children to visit a working farm or benefit from a classroom activity focused on food and farming. But, like a lot of charities and businesses, the pandemic really hit hard, and this challenge is one way to help raise money to ensure we can continue to get kids into the countryside.

Luckily, I won't be doing this challenge alone as volunteers from across RHET's network will be cycling parts of the challenge with me. We will also be joined by a fibre glass sheep, which will be decorated by school children and sit alongside the RHASS Flock to the Show art display at the Royal Highland Show, said Alistair.

Riding an average of 30 miles per day, the Challenge will start in the Lothians, with Alistair then cycling to schools in Gorebridge, Innerleithen, Moniaive, Dalmellington, Isle of Bute, Inverclyde, Falkirk, Airdrie, Nairn, Forres, Arbroath, Errol, Glenrothes, before finishing at the Royal Highland Show.

Katrina Barclay, Chief Executive of the RHET, said:

"The impact of the pandemic has been felt keenly by our young people making it more important than ever to be offering RHETs unique service. And although the pandemic has also resulted in greater interest in food provenance and sustainability, it has put even greater pressure on RHETs resources. For example, the cost of transporting 50 school children to a farm by bus has increased by 200%.

I would really encourage anyone who can get behind our Chairman as he puts rubber to the road, all for a great cause."

Since 1999, the Royal Highland Education Trust has been providing free, impactful experiences relating to the environment, economic and social realities of rural Scotland.

Through a programme of visits, RHET provides the opportunity to meet those responsible for rearing and growing our food. In so doing, combining unbiased and engaging information with a hands-on lifelong learning experience.