An intrepid group of more than 120 women has conquered a demanding 100-kilometre trek across the Isle of Skye, raising a staggering over £500,000 for the young people's breast cancer awareness charity, CoppaFeel!. The five-day challenge, a blend of breathtaking scenery and emotional resilience, saw participants traverse rugged trails, scale mountains, and forge unbreakable bonds in support of a vital cause.
A Journey of Scenery and Sisterhood
The adventure began on Skye's northern Trotternish peninsula, with groups setting out from Flodigarry beneath the dramatic rock formations of the Quiraing. Facing everything from howling winds to torrential, smoke-like rain, the walkers—117 of whom were female, alongside six celebrity patrons—displayed remarkable fortitude. Morale remained astonishingly high, with spontaneous renditions of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and dancing breaks punctuating the toughest stretches across sodden bogs and windswept ridges.
Organised in partnership with Charity Challenge, the event provided expert mountain leaders, logistics, and a base camp in Uig. The mass participation trek is part of a growing trend, with demand for such charity adventures soaring post-Covid. For CoppaFeel!, the impact is profound: trekking fundraising has grown from £200,000 in 2017 to a target of £2 million for 2025.
More Than a Physical Challenge
Each evening, the group gathered in a marquee for debriefs led by celebrity patrons like author Giovanna Fletcher. These sessions fostered a powerful, family-like cohesion. Fletcher reminded walkers of their personal "why," often citing Kris Hallenga, the inspirational founder of CoppaFeel! who was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer at 23 and died in 2024.
The trek provided a safe space for profound conversations. Many participants had personal experience with breast cancer, either as survivors, those in treatment, or having lost loved ones. Walking side-by-side along rivers and under the formidable Black Cuillin range, stories of diagnosis, treatment, and grief were shared openly, helping to normalise the experience and remove stigma.
A Festival Finale and a Lasting Legacy
The final day dawned with a festival atmosphere. Adorned with glitter, tutus, and flower garlands, the group made their final ascent of Beinn Edra. In a celebratory and symbolic act, many chose to bare their chests on the summit, embracing the moment of triumph and solidarity.
Back at camp, the finish line was crossed amid tears, hugs, and song. The week was not just about physical endurance but transformative personal change. Participants who began as novices left as confident adventurers, vowing to continue hiking. The emotional and financial result was monumental: 120 women raised over half a million pounds, proving themselves a formidable force for charity.
Inspired by the success, CoppaFeel! is planning four treks for 2026, including two day-long UK events. Applications and registrations of interest are open via the charity's official website.
