Highland Cross donation allows Inverness cycle group to expand service

Spokes for Folks has received £12,000 from the Highland Cross charity endurance event.

It means that the community group, which provides opportunities for vulnerable and isolated people to get out and about as part of supported cycle rides is able to invest in a much-needed second wheelchair friendly electric trike.

Recently, the Courier joined the Inverness Spokes for Folks on one of their many tours to experience for themselves what the charity is about.

Due to its continued popularity the group is constantly having to expand and upgrade its fleet.

Volunteer pilot and fundraiser Vonnie Stevenson said: "The trikes are being used both morning and afternoon, Monday to Friday, and we are delighted to have clients from a range of organisations including Leonard Cheshire, L’Arche, Richmond Fellowship and the Corbett Centre, so we are now reaching disabled adults as well as our passengers from local care and nursing homes.

"Understandably, the trikes were beginning to show their age with the constant use. Spokes operates throughout the whole year, weather permitting, so a financial gift from local charity Highland Cross this year meant that we could invest in a much-needed second wheelchair trike."

The new trike has been named 'Affric' to pay homage to Highland Cross, the annual 50-mile charity duathlon event which traverses the Highlands from west to east coast from Kintail through Glen Affric and Strathglass to Beauly.

Highland Cross raises money for causes that benefit Highland people who are disadvantaged by disability, ill health or social need.

Spokes for Folks' new trike has a higher weight limit than its other trikes, meaning they can now accommodate often heavier specialised wheelchair. The loading and unloading mechanism on this trike is also improved.

Highland Cross admin officer Elizabeth Christie said: "Every penny raised by competitors taking part in Highland Cross each year is distributed to local causes.

"After the nominated principal benefitting charities are awarded their grants, if there is any surplus sponsorship funds available, these are distributed to smaller projects.

"We were delighted to be able to support Spokes for Folks last year with the purchase of a trike, along with covers to keep passengers cosy and comfortable during their trips around the city, and then again this year.

"I have had the privilege of joining a trip out in one of the trikes and I can honestly say it was a fantastic experience. Well done to all the volunteer pilots and volunteers at Spokes for Folks for providing this exceptional community benefit."

Vonnie added: "We are so very grateful to the committee at the Highland Cross for supporting us again, as this is the second trike they have fully sponsored and having two wheelchair trikes has meant we don’t have to juggle the rota so much to accommodate that need.

"We were also gifted a truly wonderful donation through a legacy in a will which meant we could sell on a trike to the new Nairn group and purchase two new ones.

"We are very lucky to have such great support in the communities in and around Inverness. I think the public can see very easily the impact of what we do with some of the most vulnerable groups in our community and we’re always overwhelmed by the kindness of folk."

Spokes for Folks is always on the look out for new pilots as well as businesses willing to sponsor their trikes.

"We need to raise in the region of £4000 a year to keep the wheels turning, literally," Vonnie said.

"We will be again looking for businesses to sponsor one of our eight trikes in 2024, at £500 each trike which covers our insurance, trike maintenance and servicing, plus the all important birdseed for the local ducks!"

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