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U13s Sponsored Walk Report & Photos

U13s Sponsored Walk Report & Photos

Sandra Marshall26 Nov 2020 - 18:53
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See report and photos from the Deeside U13's team sponsored walk on Saturday, 21 November 2020.

With less than two weeks' notice, 18 of the Deeside U13's team and all four coaches turned out in Aboyne at 8.00am on Saturday, 21 November for a sponsored walk to raise funds for the new clubhouse.

Restricted to the U13 'bubble' (players and coaches only), the plan was to walk from the club's old home on Aboyne Green to Woodend, where the new clubhouse now stands.

After a group photo outside the pavilion on the green, they set off along the route of the Deeside Way, bound for Banchory with high spirits all round. Those high spirits resulted in the team breaking into song early on the walk, which continued for much of the day (much to the coaches' delight...), and even the possible adoption of a team song!

The walk progressed quickly and crossed the Dess road and river before the first of the day's two hills up through Dess Wood. The hill didn't slow them down and before long, they arrived in Kincardine O' Neil for the very welcome surprise of bacon rolls all round, courtesy of David and Claire Smart, which were thoroughly appreciated by the group.

The rolls and short break set them up for the next stretch along the river to Potarch where, incidentally, the provision of the new pitches and dedicated facility at Woodend was first put forward by Alexander Burnett of the Leys Estate at a club committee meeting in the Potarch Hotel. On arrival at Potarch, there was another break for water top-up's and a feed before heading along the Old Military Road and up the next hill towards Slewdrum Forest. They then turned into the woods and carried on to the viewpoint looking down the river Dee which presented a fantastic photo opportunity. Onwards, through Blackhall Forest and down the riverside to Banchory for another quick feed at the scout hut and onto the last leg of the walk.

With fading light, the arrival at Woodend saw a final flurry as the team charged across the pitch to the new clubhouse, greeted by family and friends as well as club president Ian Finlayson who said a thank you from the club for the U13's effort and for the contribution their fundraising would make to the build.

Congratulations to all the players who took part in what was an 18 mile, day-long, walk from Aboyne to Woodend, a significant challenge which they took on enthusiastically and made a great fun day of. Also, huge thanks go to the coaches who made the whole thing possible in these Covid-19 restricted times as well as undertaking the entire walk with the team.

A fantastic sum has already been donated and the club is extremely grateful to all who have contributed.

The fundraising page remains open so, if you would like to donate, please follow the link below and share it as widely as you can.

Hopefully we can push the final total a little higher.

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/Under13sSponsoredWalk

P.S. After starting at 8.00 am on Saturday, the last finisher arrived at Woodend at 6:30pm on Monday...! After walking nearly all the way (fully Aboyne to Banchory) on Saturday, he was forced to stop at the scout hut on Dee street due to injury. Keen to complete the walk, he went back to the scout hut on Monday evening and walked the remaining section, arriving right on time for training! (No names, but him and I had a lovely walk in the dark and I'm very proud of him).

More photos from the walk can be seen here.

#DRFC #GoMightyBoars #OurNewClubhouse

Author: Michael Richmond

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