Travis Trek wins Institute of Fundraising National Award

Intrepid trekkers Scott Cunningham - and his guide dog Travis - from Larkhall, South Lanarkshire -  won the Institute of Fundraising National Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year 2010 Award on monday 5 July, having raised over £100,000 for charity Guide Dogs through six mammoth treks (the Travis Treks).

Sponsored by ‘Dataforce Charities’, with ‘ThirdSectorJobs.co.uk’ as the media partners, the National Awards are the only awards created by fundraisers for fundraisers.

Scott said:” I am absolutely delighted to receive the Institute of Fundraising Award. It had already been a great honour to even be short-listed for it. I met many special people at the event and had a great evening and there was a brilliant atmosphere. I told everyone that I dedicated the award to Guide Dogs for all the help that the charity had given me since I lost my sight. Travis really enjoyed the evening too and was especially dressed up for the evening in his smart dickie-bow.”

Sponsored by DataForce Charities, with media partner ThirdSectorJobs.co.uk the National Awards 2010 were held on the first night of the Institute's three-day National Convention (5-7th July 2009) – Europe’s largest convention for fundraisers.

Julie Millar from Guide Dogs’ Scottish fundraising team said:  “We are so proud and grateful to Scott and Travis for their incredible support.  If anyone deserves national recognition for dedicated charity fundraising over a number of years, it’s Scott.”

Entries were judged by leading sector experts, and the winners were announced at a gala dinner held on Monday 05 July, the first night of the Institute's three-day National Convention.

Background to this year’s Travis Trek

The dynamic duo tackled the West Highland Way, from south to north between 28 March and 03 April. Starting at Milngavie, they trekked for seven days through the Scottish Highlands to Fort William.

Scott was accompanied by the Ibrox Legends; former Rangers stars Terry Hurlock, Arthur Numan, Mark Hateley, Alex Rae, Gordon Durie, John Brown, Stuart McCall and Davie McPherson.

Members of the Royal Marine Commandos also joined Scott and Travis for the start of their ‘triumphal march’ of over 100 miles, as they prepared to cross some of the most dramatic landscape in Scotland.

Scott said: “My life changed in 2003 when I was partnered with guide dog Travis.  He has given me life-changing freedom and independence, and in acknowledgement of his role, he was voted Scottish Guide dog of the Year 2009. I wanted to give something back to The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association who made my independence possible; fundraising through the Travis Treks has been a wonderful and rewarding way to do this.”

The Travis Trek story can been seen at www.legendstrek.co.uk where donations can be made.