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Ross-shire input into 500-mile charity cycle targetting £150,000 for cancer care charity Maggie’s Highland


By Hector MacKenzie

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Members of the Maggie's fundraising cycle team in training before lockdown. Picture: Ewen Weatherspoon
Members of the Maggie's fundraising cycle team in training before lockdown. Picture: Ewen Weatherspoon

A TEAM of Highland business leaders and owners aims to raise £150,000 for a cancer care charity with a 500-mile cycle ride.

The 40-strong team includes co-organisers Willie Gray, managing director of property and development company Ark Estates, and ex-Commonwealth cyclist Kenny Riddle, of Bikes of Inverness.

The fundraiser for Maggie’s Highland was due to have taken place last September, but was postponed due to the pandemic.

It is now set to take place in September, and has the backing of Giro d’Italia winner and leading UK cyclist Tao Geoghegan Hart, who sent a video message to the team.

Originally, the cyclists had planned a route taking in Elgin, Aviemore, Fort William, Lochcarron and Ullapool before returning to Inverness over the course of five days.

The rescheduled fundraiser will now see cyclists depart from Inverness on September 6 for Aviemore, from where they will spend four days tackling diverse routes.

Mr Gray said: “We took the right, and probably only, decision we could when we decided to cancel last year’s cycle.

“Although much of 2021 is still unclear, it is becoming increasingly obvious that restrictions will be in place for some time to come, and as a result we simply did not want to risk taking such large numbers of people into the list of small Highland communities as planned, relying on several different food and accommodation stops each day.”

Mr Riddle praised the “fantastic spirit” of team members who have indicated they are more committed than ever to the event despite the challenging times due to the impacts of coronavirus.

“They are a very resilient and dedicated bunch as well as an incredible group of fundraisers, and have said they are more determined than ever to participate and make the event a success,” he said.

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