Cancer charity looking for pedal power at Etape Loch Ness sportive

THE LAST remaining places for the Etape Loch Ness cycle sportive could help a cancer charity break the £1 million fund-raising milestone.

Macmillan Cancer Support is appealing to cyclists to snap up the last few places in Etape Loch Ness and use their pedal power to raise much-needed funds.

Only a handful of places remain for the popular cycling sportive – which sold out to general entry within hours – and the places are being made available to riders who pledge £100 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

It is hoped the combined efforts of ‘Team Macmillan’ cyclists will help the charity the official charity of Etape Loch Ness - to break the milestone of £1 million raised over the past four years of the event.

Etape Loch Ness will follow a 66-mile route around the shores of the world-famous loch on April 29. More than 5,500 riders have already signed up to take part in the sportive, which takes place on traffic-free roads.

Macmillan’s challenge events programme manager Eleanor Hoare said riders who don the charity’s distinctive green jerseys have the chance to be part of something special.

She added: ‘During the 2017 event, we had 964 riders taking part for Macmillan and they raised £291,907 – by far the biggest and best year yet for us at Etape Loch Ness. This year we are once again calling on cyclists of all abilities to help us and we could reach a special milestone.

‘Since our partnership with Etape Loch Ness started in the inaugural year of the event in 2014, we have raised more than £730,000.

‘We hope that after this year, with the help of our fantastic ‘Team Macmillan’ riders and their supporters, that the partnership will have raised more than £1 million for people living with cancer.

‘£1 million would cover the cost of approximately 36,000 hours of Macmillan nurses.’

The money raised at Etape Loch Ness will go towards helping Macmillan achieve its aim to reach and improve the life of everyone living with cancer, including funding their invaluable team of nurses. The charity also provides financial support for cancer patients and their families.

Etape Loch Ness event director Malcolm Sutherland said: ‘When we launched Etape Loch Ness four years ago, we wanted to give cyclists an unforgettable and thrilling ride in one of the world’s most beautiful places.

‘But, more than that, we wanted to create an event that would benefit the local community and which would provide a lasting legacy. The fund-raising undertaken by riders in aid deliver that.

‘In just four years, Etape Loch Ness has become one of the most popular sportives in the country, with places selling out within hours of going on sale. But what makes us equally proud is the impact it is having on a charity that plays such an important role to those affected by cancer.’

Beginning in the Highland capital of Inverness, the Etape Loch Ness route follows the A82 along the northern side of the loch, before passing through Fort Augustus onto the south side.

It is there riders will take on the most challenging leg of the course – the timed King of the Mountain stage – a 4.8 mile climb which rises to 380m.

The route continues around the southern side of the loch before returning to the event hub at Eden Court in Inverness. The event takes place on traffic-free roads, giving riders a unique experience.

To sign up, visit www.etapelochness.com. More information about the event is available on social media on Facebook www. facebook.com/etapelochness and Twitter @EtapeLochNess of Macmillan is helping to