LANDS END TO JOHN O'GROATS FIRE FIGHTERS CYCLE RIDE
Gleaner were delighted to support the Fire Fighters Charity recently. A team of largely inexperienced fundraising Retained Fire Fighter cyclists from Grantown on Spey, Kingussie and Newtonmore, left the Highlands bound for Lands End aiming to cycle non-stop to John O'Groats to raise money on behalf of the Fire Fighters Charity.
One of our tanker drivers, based at our Grantown Depot, Robert Wilson, is also a retained fire fighter and took part in this challenge. The photograph was taken just before the team set off from Lands End.
This ambitious project had first been conceived in 2013 but a shortage of funding and transport forced a delay. The catalyst for the re-launch in 2014 was the very generous offer from Gleaner to support the event by financing the fuel cost. With this expense covered, every penny raised would go to the charity.
The first two riders crossed the start line a 4.30pm on day one. In order to achieve the aim of cycling non-stop the team rode in pairs for two hours both day and night. Morale was high as the team crossed the Scottish border. A very tired main party rode into Kingussie late on Saturday evening where they were greeted with a party atmosphere. At 4am on the third day, in appalling weather, the riders set about tackling the final 83 miles. Having battled through gale force winds and torrential rain and overcoming sleep deprivation, a very happy team crossed the finish line at John O'Groats at 09.30hrs, a gruelling 61 hours after the challenge had begun.
Gleaner are delighted to be able to support such a worth-while charity and to assist in a small way. We pass on our congratulations that this remarkable fundraiser, raised a magnificent sum of over £10,000 which will benefit fire fighters both local and nationally, was completed so successfully.
Further details about the Fire Fighters Charity can be found at: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk
