Inverness Cycling Club take on epic challenge in aid of Highland Hospice
KIND-hearted cyclists have raised thousands of pounds for the Highland Hospice after taking part in an epic challenge which had a personal resonance for some of those involved.
Inverness Cycling Club members set themselves the gruelling challenge of cycling for 12 hours non-stop in Inverness’s Asda store as a way to raise funds for the charity.
And during the course of the challenge 33 people jumped on the bikes to support the club effort, including club members’ family, volunteers from the Highland Hospice and Asda staff.
Inverness Cycle Club members David Stuart and Pennie Latin put in an extra long shift during the event as part of their training towards another Highland Hospice fundraiser later this year, with Mr Stuart cycling a staggering 190 miles across the course of the day.
Asda store manager Craig Paterson, along with colleagues Fiona Moffat and Adri Cameron, added his own support to the event by cycling 40 miles outside the store on the open roads to raise more than £350 in sponsorship and donations.
The cycle club raised more than £1000 from in store donations and then the Asda Foundation match-funded the total to provide a £2704.64 windfall for the hospice.
And, for some of those who took part, the choice of charity had a personal aspect to it too.
Pennie Latin, who presents BBC Radio Scotland’s science series Brainwaves, said: “Two close friends of mine are battling cancer and one of them is a keen cyclist so the challenge seemed like a fitting way to raise funds.
“A while ago I produced a programme called ‘Advice from the Edge of Life’ about a woman dying of cancer and it really changed my perspective on life – I felt it was time to give something back. As a club we also wanted to show our support for a local cause close to all our hearts.”
Joy Milne, community champion at Asda Inverness, said: “The hospice is a very deserving cause and it’s where people have the opportunity to say their final goodbyes to loved ones privately – myself included when I said farewell to my mum.”
David Stuart and Pennie Latin’s next cycle fundraiser in aid of the charity will be the Highland Hospice Everest Cycle Challenge, which will see them journey 430 miles round the Highlands in five days, climbing a combined total of more than 29,000ft in the process – the equivalent of scaling the world’s tallest mountain.
