HIGHLAND MARCH V

[Yompa]

I know the cat's kind of out of the bag already, with the article in Friday's Courier and LG's cryptic post about Mrs PB's newfound fame, but maybe it's time to say one or two things about the huge amount of work that's been going on behind the scenes with respect to HMV.

When the team reviewed HM4, we knew that some things had gone very well, whilst other things required our attention. At the same time, we recognised that after four years, we either needed to build on the experience of the past four years, or perhaps call it a day. Well one thing we ain't is a bunch of quitters, so here we are, back, bigger, and better than ever.

Crikey, it's really a case of where to start... well let's try the beginning...

HM1 raised over three grand for the MFR Charity Trust, HMs 2 and 3 raised two and a half each but HM4 fell flat on it's face with a disappointing fourteen hundred. Fortunately, we'd teamed up with Team ICT, the club's own youth development charity, and through the combined efforts of the marchers and the youngsters, raised three grand for the ICT kids. After some debate, we came to the conclusion that the link with MFR had run its course and that a new direction was required. That direction has evolved into the slogan "ICT supporting I©T" for if you check the website www.ictinfo.org.uk, you'll find the Highland March prominently mentioned across the top of the home page of the International Childrens Trust. All of the money raised from HMV will be shared between the International Childrens Trust and Team ICT. In particular, the money raised for the I©T will go to a development project in Tamil Nadu in Southern India in support of children's education. With over 87% of the funds raised by the I©T actually reaching the children, we are very, very happy to be involved with our new partners, and following on from the daft CBB row that threatened relations between the UK and India, it's nice to be able to put a positive spin on things. The UK director of the I©T will be out in India later this month and she is very excited at the prospect of showing the children what the eccentric supporters of the other ICT are going to be doing for them!

One of the greatest things that happened during HM4, and which looks like leaving a legacy way into the future, was the welcoming onboard of Caley D, or 'The General' as he answers to the troops (General as in Dogsbody). The General brought a stack of new ideas to the table, and even now we are only just scratching the surface. Suffice to say, perhaps, that www.highlandmarch.co.uk is the brainchild of messrs Caley D & Scotty and the HM team are both proud and excited at the look of the new site. We couldn't possibly have imagined that we would be in this position when we started out back in 2003.

Also new for this year is corporate sponsorship. Yes, it might blow up in our faces and we might only raise a few quid, but to be honest, we'd been fleecing the same old people year on year, and we felt the time was right for a change of direction fundraisingwise. But don't worry, all of you lovely people won't escape our clutches that easily for The General is busy setting up the official (and properly registered) Highland March Charity Trust, along with a business Paypal account!!! The aim between now and May 12 will be to get this fully operational then hit the Nationals with our story. Mrs PB is our co-ordinator (because she's good at these kind of things) and she's got the list of who's targetting who.

The squad for 2007 is a good one... Gringo Junior and myself have completed all four HMs to date, Gringo and Dozza are only half an HM down on that, whilst PB, Mrs PB, EGG and Chumba (the marcher formerly known as Beatonio) all completed their one and only HM with something to spare. So we kind of know what to expect (if that's at all possible) and we are once again looking forward to each other's company. The General, bless him, will once again be our guardian angel and doing what he does best... driving the bus!

And that's about it for this short introduction. Please have a rummage on the two websites (www.highlandmarch.co.uk and www.ictinfo.org.uk) and familiarise yourself with what's going on. You never know, you might even fancy a shot next year....

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

Can I use ma moped?

[Joonya]

It is unfortunate that you had to drop out of the preparations for this years march IHE. the craick we have during these events is fantastic and you would have been more than welcome. I believe we already have you down for HM6...

Who would have thought that 4 years ago, the Highland March would get bigger and better year on year.

I would like to express my advanced thanks to all those who have supported us over the years, and wish to support us again.

[CaleyJulz]

I loved doing hm4 (well apart from the blisters and sunburn) it was great cant wait to do my bit for hm5.

[L_G]

Are you going the whole hog this year CCC ?

[CaleyJulz]

Ermmmmm .......no afraid not l-g due to childcare commitments grrrrr i want to try as much as i can tho ......

[Joonya]

and excuse  :023: lol

[Tug]

wish i could but off to the desert for two hot suny months in june juy so really don't think the wife would be to impressed with me clearing off for a week :006:

wanna try and do hm6 though may even be able to try and sort out some assistance type stuff