Scotland’s favourite biscuit treats helped fuel an inspirational group of child abuse survivors to reach the top of the world.
Tunnock’s, based in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, sponsored survivors group Team Uprising on their mission to conquer Mount Everest.
The group, made up of survivors of childhood abuse by school teachers, supported by friends and family and local Sherpa guides, took on Everest in April and May to raise awareness and funds for the child protection charity NSPCC.
Tunnocks provided them with supplies of their famous Caramel Wafers and Logs to sustain them during the seven-week challenge.
The expedition has raised tens of thousands of pounds through the JustGiving page which they have set up here.
Any funds raised will be used to help improve the future for other children.
Expedition leader Giles Moffatt, 51, a survivor of physical abuse as a young boy at Edinburgh Academy, revealed that the Caramel Wafers and Logs, previously unknown in Nepal, had proved a hit with the team – and their Sherpas.
He said: “Tunnock’s very kindly helped out us with our expedition costs and provided us with their famous bars for what is a long and arduous trip.
“I would estimate that the majority of our supply was commandeered by our team of Sherpas, who had never tried them before. Samir, our entrepreneurial camera man, has even asked if he could be the official importer for Nepal.”
Team member Andy Leslie, 37, who made it to the summit, said: “The opportunity to take a slightly frozen Caramel Wafer to the top of Everest was too good to miss, especially for a good cause like this.”
Kevin Hayes, Tunnock’s overseas sales manager, said the company was “proud to have sponsored Team Uprising on their fantastic journey in the Himalayas”.
He said: “When Giles and Andrew reached out and told us the story behind why they were embarking on this challenge and what they hoped to achieve by tackling Mount Everest as a group, we immediately wanted to show our support.
“The whole team were a real inspiration and Andrew and Giles’ infectious positive energy shone through from the very first video call when they told me what they were planning.
“It is awesome to know that when the legs were getting tired or when the fatigue was kicking in the team could pull a Caramel Wafer or Caramel Log out of their bag to give them a wee boost and keep them going on towards base camp or the summit.
“To have a picture of a Caramel Wafer being held aloft proudly at the summit of Everest is a thing of beauty, especially when you know the story behind it all.”
The survivors’ group was set up to create a support network for those who had experienced cruel and abusive behaviour at school.
They want to turn their negative childhood experiences into something positive by raising money for the NSPCC, to support services including Childline and educational programmes.
Tunnock’s make between 10 and 12 million biscuits and cakes every week including five million wafers and three million of their famous tea cakes, selling in more than 40 countries around the world.
