‘Big Bill’ raises over £12,000 for charities
Oban Station Square was packed on Saturday with more than 100 people cheering on Willie Neilson.
The 29-year-old wheeled into Oban after having completed a 737-mile cycle, in which he raised more than £12,000 – and counting – for three charities close to his heart.
Willie, who cycled from Land’s End to Oban, will split the money between Alzheimer’s Scotland, the Craighalbert Centre, and the Beatson Cancer Charity.
Each of the charities has a special connection to the building contractor. Willie’s gran passed away after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and his other granny was diagnosed with cancer. However, she was given the all clear after being admitted to the Beatson Centre in Glasgow.
His sister-in-law, Laura, who cycled the last part of the journey with Willie, has cerebral palsy and attended the Craighalbert Centre.
Speaking about his journey, Willie said: ‘It was good watching the target going up all week. When we started the cycle we were sitting at around £5,000 and by the time I got back it was around £11,500. It definitely spurred me on.
‘There were loads of challenges on the way with punctures, worrying about the campervan, the routes were a bit of an issue at times, and it’s typical, as we landed in Scotland it started raining again.’
At one point on the cycle, the campervan broke down and the spokes on Willie’s bike gave way, meaning he had to cycle 100 miles on his back-up bike with no support team.
When he arrived in Glasgow his former Taynuilt Shinty Club team mate Billy Irving greeted Willie by piping him into the Campanile Hotel.
Speaking about arriving back in Oban, Willie said: ‘When I came down into the main street, a fire engine was blocking my view of all the people, so I couldn’t see everyone. When my sister-in-law Laura started cycling with me, I could see everyone. I didn’t expect as many as that. It was emotional.’
On the last leg of the journey, Willie was joined by friends and family, and when he arrived in Oban he was greeted by 100 people cheering, as well as a bottle of Champagne.
‘It didn’t really sink in until the next day,’ he added. ‘When I woke up and opened Facebook and I saw all the well wishes. I was crying in bed looking at it.’
Willie thanked his team: ‘I don’t think it would have been possible without them.’
There is still time to win the bicycle that Willie cycled from Land’s End to Oban, as it will be raffled off this Saturday.
To buy a ticket, visit Big Bill’s Big Cycle Land’s End to Oban 737 miles in seven days on social media or to donate, visit www.gofundme.com/bigbillsbigcycle