WEATHERMAN Sean Batty and showbiz reporter Laura Boyd are feeling bright and breezy after raising more than £10,000 for this year’s STV Children’s Appeal.
The crazy pals were tasked with visiting as many Scottish monuments as possible in 48 hours while completing tasks and challenges along the way.
From Edinburgh Castle, The Kelpies in Falkirk and the V&A in Dundee to Inveraray Jail and The Three Sisters in Glencoe, the dynamic duo ticked off more than a dozen landmarks.
Everywhere they went Laura and Sean collected donations which will go towards funding projects which are providing a lifeline to the country’s most vulnerable children and their families.
Challenges the pair faced during their nationwide adventure included splatter painting, an army assault course, paddleboard and segway races and a crazy golf competion.
Sunday Mail columnist Laura, who has been involved in the STV Appeal since it started in 2011, said: “We’ve done lots of challenges over the years but this was the biggest geographically speaking as we had to cover so much ground in just 48 hours.
“But Sean and I had so much fun. We are both very competitive so we took the challenges very seriously – so seriously I ended up with a black and blue bum when I fell off my my paddleboard during a race in Loch Lomond.
“The generosity of people along the way always makes me emotional. Folk are so aware now of the incredible projects the Appeal helps fund and they want to give as much they can. Every penny raised stays in Scotland.”
Sean, who has presented the STV weather for 17 years, added: “Laura and I love having a carry on but once we are in challenge mode it gets serious and noisy as we try to beat each other in the different tasks. I usually win but Laura has upped her game.
“It’s heartwrenching to think that one in four children in Scotland are living in poverty. Poverty is here on our doorstep not millions of miles away and the more we can do to help the better.
“There are so many incredible projects out there run by amazing volunteers and the least Laura and I can do is give up 48 hours every year to fundraise for them.”
Over the years the friends have taken on a bungee jump and a tuktuk marathon but they both fear next year’s 15th anniversary challenge will be the scariest yet.
Laura, who has interviewed everyone from Dolly Parton to Brian Cox, said: “We are both not too keen on heights and have often said we would do anything but a skydive. We have a feeling that 2025 might be the year and we know we won’t be able to say know as the Appeal is something so close to both our hearts.”
The highlights from this year’s “Monument Marathon” will be broadcast on STV next Friday during the telefundraiser show which Laura will host alongside Lorraine Kelly. In the past 14 years the Appeal has raised more than £32million.
Lorraine, who is an STV Appeal Trustee, said: “As ever, we need the generous people of Scotland to tune in and donate, so we can reach even more families and communities that need it most across Scotland.”
The Scottish Government has been a supporter of the Appeal since its inception – providing up to £1 million of match funding annually.
First Minister John Swinney said: “Ending child poverty is a flagship mission of my Government. It is of the upmost importance that children and young people are able to access opportunities that give them the best chance of a brighter future. That is why initiatives like the STV Children’s Appeal are so important.
“Every year, the campaign helps to support thousands of children, young people and families right across the country, in every one of the 32 local authorities, when they need it the most.
“All public donations, including the contribution from the Scottish Government, go directly to front line projects. I would like to thank people for their generosity, particularly during such challenging times – your donations, no matter how small, go such a long way to supporting children who are the future of Scotland.”
The STV Children’s Appeal 2024 airs on Friday 8 November across STV and STV Player.
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