Charity cycling trio are hot property
THREE cyclists from Oban, who rode more than 100 miles in two days, have smashed their target and raised more than £2,700 for charity.
The trio – Sophie Handley, Mairi Kennedy and Sandie Duffy – embarked on the gruelling cycle across Argyll and Lochaber with the goal of raising £1,000 for three charities close to their hearts; MS Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Argyll Animal Aid.
The women, who all work at Oban estate agents Bell Ingram, had never set foot in a gym or owned a bike before setting themselves the challenge.
They started from the Bell Ingram office, passing landmarks such as Ganavan Beach, Connel Bridge, Castle Stalker, Ballachulish Bridge across the Corran Ferry, and over to Mull and Craignure, before finishing up back at their office in Oban, 48 hours later.
Sophie said that teamwork was key to the three women’s success. She said: ‘I have to be honest, because none of us had ever entered a gym before we undertook this challenge, I was initially a little worried, but the whole cycle went really well. We took it in turns to motivate each other, and Mairi and Sandie were fantastic at supporting me – cheering me to conquer hills that I never imagined I’d be able to climb.
‘There were, of course, highs and lows. Mull, in particular, was testing as we were cycling into head- on winds, our bodies were exhausted and the pain was excruciating. We have never felt as proud of ourselves as we did once we arrived at Craignure – the hours of training, the hills (which felt more like mountains), the sweat and the tears were all worth it for that moment. The MS Society is particularly significant for me as my father is currently living with MS and epilepsy. This was my way of giving something back.
‘The donations are still coming in, but so far we have raised an outstanding £2,715. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for all the support. Our bikes are now officially in retirement.’
Claire Douglas, regional fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Scotland, said: ‘ We would like to say a huge thank you to Sophie, Mairi and Sandie, and the Bell Ingram team. Their amazing fundraising will help JDRF move one step closer to finding the cure for Type 1 diabetes.’