A team of north business people have raised a fantastic £65,000 for Highland Hospice with a gruelling cycle challenge which included the equivalent of ascending to the highest point on earth. Without leaving the Highlands, the Highland Cycle team took on the 380 mile ride, which included 25,500ft of climbing. The team left the hospice shop in Wick on Tuesday 17th September and cycled to Durness, Ullapool and then to Skye as far as Broadford. They then headed for Fort William before finishing with a ride along the Great Glen to Inverness, including a steep climb of Glendoe.
On Saturday 21 September they made their welcomed return to family and friends who gathered at Highland Hospice to applaud their great achievement.
This is the third time Highland Hospice has held this bi-annual event which has raised an astonishing £356,500 fundraising total for Highland Hospice to date. Included in this year’s group was Kirsty Innes who at 24 years old is the youngest cyclist to ever take on the challenge. Joining her this year was Patrick Balfour who at 66 years old is the eldest person to complete the challenge. Patrick proudly lead the team of cyclists from Dores to Inverness on the home stretch.
Julian Innes, who was instrumental in bringing the group together said, “It was a pleasure to help organise the cycle for the second time. The work done behind the scenes by Highland Hospice ensured it ran like clockwork. We started the week as individuals and rode into Inverness as a team with a common goal. Each rider had different motivations for taking part but we all recognise the excellent work undertaken by the Highland Hospice staff supported by the wonderful volunteers. My daughter Kirsty and new friend Patrick are an inspiration to the young and those a little older, that anything can be achieved when you put your mind to it for a common cause.”
Emma Nicol, community fundraiser for Highland Hospice said, “We cannot thank the cyclists enough for their hard work and commitment to this event, they are truly an incredible group of people who have given up so much of their time to train and fundraise for us over the past 12-18 months. Everyone at Highland Hospice is very proud of their achievement. We would also like to thank all our incredible sponsors who supported the event and our wonderful drivers who ensured the safety and wellbeing of our cyclists at all times”
