Criterion is once again getting ready to take part in a heroic challenge to raise money for our charity partner, Waverley Care. This time we will cycle and walk along the North Coast and Castles route from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, continuing on from the journey in 2022, where the coast to castle route from Newcastle to Edinburgh was tackled.

Waverley Care is a leading HIV charity based in Edinburgh dedicated to raising awareness, increasing testing, and tackling the stigma surrounding HIV. The charity provides a range of services to people living with or affected by HIV, including support groups, counselling, and testing. It also works to promote awareness and understanding of HIV and to combat discrimination and prejudice. It recently launched its ‘Get to Zero’ campaign, which is aimed at helping the Scottish government reach its goal of eradicating HIV in Scotland by 2030. 

Building on the success of last year’s challenge of Hadrian’s Wall, the team opted to do something even bigger this year and is taking on a total of 145 miles. The challenge will begin on Monday 27 May and stretch across three gruelling days: 

  • Day one – walking Edinburgh castle to Dunfermline (19 miles)
  • Day two – cycling Dunfermline to Carnoustie (62 miles)
  • Day three – cycling Carnoustie to Aberdeen (64 miles)

Billy Burnside, Managing Director: 

In the last four years of partnership with Waverley Care, Criterion has managed to raise over £30,000 – a huge amount for such a small company. This year, we have opted for an even bigger challenge, covering over 140 miles from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, in just three days. I am immensely proud of the team’s unwavering commitment to raising money for Waverley Care, and we hope that our efforts will not only raise important awareness of HIV, but also encourage others to join the cause.

We are grateful for any support received and to those generously donating to the cause. The funds raised will support Waverley Care's important work and help to achieve the Scottish government's ambitious target of no new HIV transmissions by 2030. 

If you would like to donate, then please visit our JustGiving page.