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Saddle up: Highland businesses join forces for cycle ride in aid of Maggie's Highlands


By Gregor White

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Willie Gray (front left) and Kenny Riddle (front right) with supporters gearing up for the Maggie's 500 fundraising challenge.
Willie Gray (front left) and Kenny Riddle (front right) with supporters gearing up for the Maggie's 500 fundraising challenge.

Businesses will take part in the five-day Maggie’s 500 cycle to raise vital funds for cancer charity Maggie’s Highlands.

The brainchild of property management firm Ark Estates' managing director Willie Gray and former Commonwealth Games cyclist Kenny Riddle, the cycle from September 7 to 11 next year will see 45 cyclists tackle a 500 mile route that will take in Elgin, Aviemore, Fort William, Lochcarron and Ullapool before returning to Inverness.

Event leader Mr Gray said: “From the first moment Kenny and I visited the Maggie’s centre at Raigmore I knew that I had to do something to raise money to help them keep delivering vital services to those affected by cancer.

“Like everyone, we have all been touched by cancer in some way and I can tell you that Maggie’s is a lifeline for people in the same situation. As soon as I learned that the centre is entirely funded by donation and costs £500,000 per year to run, that was the spark to plan Maggie’s 500.

“We have a great group of people signed up for the cycle and it is my hope that we will smash the £150,000 target. The generosity of local business who have already stepped forward to contribute towards things like transport and accommodation costs has been humbling.

“The generosity in the Highlands is incredible. If you ask for help, people step forward. It means we are in the great situation that every single penny raised by participants will go directly to Maggie’s.”

The Maggie’s Highlands centre based at Raigmore Hospital sees 11,000 visits per year by people from across the Highlands living with cancer as well as their families.

The centre provides both practical and emotional support and is part of a network of such centres run across the country.


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