Neil Barker, chair of The Drinks Trust, will run six ultramarathons in six days across Scotland this summer to raise funds for hospitality workers facing financial hardship, mental health challenges and barriers to employment.
The SIXTREME challenge marks the charity’s 140th anniversary. Barker, who is also UK managing director of William Grant & Sons, will cover more than 170 miles between 27 July and 1 August, starting at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace in Girvan and finishing at Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick.
He will run around 28.3 miles (45.6km) each day, exceeding the standard marathon distance.
Funds raised will support The Drinks Trust’s work providing financial, wellbeing and employment support to people working in the drinks and hospitality sectors, as well as skills development initiatives for new entrants to the industry.
Neil Barker said: “It is a daunting challenge, but one I am genuinely excited about and one that I hope will make a real difference to the lives of people working in hospitality.”
The challenge has backing from businesses across Scotland’s hospitality industry, including Turnberry, C&C Group, Scottish Rugby and Gleneagles. An auction featuring donated prizes will run alongside the fundraising campaign.
