Kirk elder Christie completes epic trip of 700 miles in 12 days to raise cash for charity originally started by the Church of Scotland

An adventurous Dunfermline Kirk elder has cycled nearly 700 miles in 12 days to raise thousands of pounds for a mentalhealth counselling charity – that was originally started by the Church of Scotland.

Ed Christie, 54, biked from Dunfermline to Durness then looped to Dunbar and back to Dunfermline.

The Gillespie Memorial Church member described his epic journey as an “incredible experience” marking the 10th anniversary of Talk Matters.

The organisation supports people suffering from depression, anxiety, stress, anger and bereavement.

Mr Christie, who is the chairman of its board of trustees, said: “Talk Matters provides a life-changing service to thousands of people so it was a privilege to play a small part in raising muchneeded funds to support it.”

Having been gifted counselling during a period of ill health, he qualified as a counsellor eight years ago.

“I know that counselling can improve lives and even save lives,” he said.

Talk Matters employs two people but the trustees, counsellors and administration team were all volunteers.

It cost £52,000 to run the project last year, providing 1,047 counselling sessions.

He said: “We receive valuable grants which help us operate but there is a deficit between grants and the running costs.”

Mr Christie, who works as a lawyer with Dunfermline firm Ross and Connel, said he enjoyed cycling so it seemed like a good way to raise money.

The married father-of-two said he was “an undesirable mixture of overweight but relatively fit”.

He prepared for the epic journey by cycling 70 miles a week for around eight weeks.

Mr Christie had three separate

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I know that counselling can improve lives and even save lives

groups of cyclists accompanying him.

And for the last two days of the trip he has his wife, Aileen, to join him on the run for home.

Gillespie minister the Rev Mike Weaver said: “Talk Matters counselling services are close to my heart.

“Having studied for a post-graduate counselling certificate during my training for ministry, I know the difference having a trained listening ear can make at times of life where we are thrown off balance.

“We love him and honour him for his gesture of giving back and literally going the extra mile.”

Ed Christie does his best to bridge the gap between the charity’s grants and running costs