Arran Belles are still doing it for Doddie – and now it’s personal
The Arran Belles, a female cycling group on the island, are continuing their fundraising efforts for the My Name5 Doddie Foundation.
They took part in the Doddie5 60mile cycle fundraiser - the Melrose to Melrose Loop - on August 8.
My Name5 Doddie Foundation was established in November 2017 by Doddie Weir who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in December 2016.
The organisation is committed to help find a cure for MND and provides support for sufferers.
The Arran Belles started supporting the foundation in January when they cycled more than 2,000 miles in support of the Doddie Aid Event.
What made it even more poignant was that their friend and fellow Belle, Sue Berry, was diagnosed with MND and Sarah Cook’s sister Alison is also suffering from the illness.
As a result, the Belles felt compelled to remain involved and eight of them signed up for the Melrose to Melrose Loop.
Unfortunately, by the time of the event Sue could not take part but she and her husband Mark went along to provide support, both in a physical and emotional sense.
Doddie himself met and thanked the Belles for their efforts and said that he had holidayed on Arran and found it a beautiful place.
About 1,000 people started the race and everyone’s spirits were high and the sun was shining.
Sadly their luck ran out on the homeward straight when they experienced torrential rain, thunder and lightning.
But the weather did not stop Isla Murchie, Fiona Carswell, Annie Lloyd, Sarah Cook, Josephine Broekhuizen, Fiona Burke and Janice Small from completing the ride and receiving their finishers’ medals after completing the challenging route through the Scottish Border towns of Earlston, Kelso, Jedburgh and Hawick.
The Arran Belles have raised £3,024 for the My Name5 Doddie Foundation and they thank all of their supporters for helping to raise the incredible sum.
Those wishing to contribute to the fundraising can still do so on the JustGiving website at www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ ArranBellesDoddie5Cycle