Charity cycle to feature Olympic legend

Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy has teamed up with charity Social Bite on a £1 million fundraising campaign aiming to build new villages for homeless people in Glasgow and London.

The record-breaking, six-time Olympic gold medal cyclist will take part in the Break the Cycle 60-mile charity bike ride from Glasgow to Edinburgh.

Those signing up to ride alongside Sir Chris will be asked to raise £1,000 to enter and will be in with a chance of winning prizes from a medal signed by the Olympian to naming a house at one of the villages.

The Break the Cycle ride takes place on Sunday, September 5, with Sir Chris and the pack setting off from his namesake velodrome in Glasgow to head to the finish line near the flagship Social Bite village in Granton, Edinburgh.

Since launching in May 2018, Social Bite’s Edinburgh Village, run with the Cyrenians, has given accommodation and support to 39 people, 82% of whom either still live there or have moved on to a positive destination.

As well as the event on September 5, people from across the UK are invited to take part in the campaign through their own virtual challenges from March to September.

Sir Chris said: “I know times have been incredibly tough of late but I’d encourage everyone to get involved and help raise the funds needed for this extraordinary project and take on their own challenges over the coming weeks and months.

“I look forward to see those taking part at the starting line,” he added.

The charity said that 10% of campaign funds will go to SAMH, the Scottish Association for Mental Health.

An Arbroath reader writes: “In walking in and around Arbroath, I am disgusted at the lack of public drinking fountains which used to exist. At the High Common there is an imposing granite monument commemorating the erection of a drinking fountain dating from the 1930s, now vandalised and disconnected. Also at the children’s paddling pool and at the end of the West Links promenade there were two fountains, now nonexistent.

“Having recently spent holidays in Perth, Australia, it is amazing what has been done to Scarborough beach seafront, with toilets, showers and changing rooms for surfers open 24/7 and free, also drinking facilities. There are also numerous gas barbecues for public use free of charge, only asking users to clean up after use.

“Is there something different about the Australian philosophy meaning that these facilities can exist without wanton damage and vandalism?

“In Arbroath, at the Ness, there used to be a well with the most icy-cold, refreshing water to drink. Now there is a notice stating it is no longer suitable for drinking. Is this due to pesticides on the fields or what?

“It is a shame that public drinking facilities are no longer available (Covid-19 problems notwithstanding).”

Following recent correspondence, today’s photograph is very apt. Jim Howie, who sent it in, says: “Sir James M Barrie receiving the Freedom of Kirriemuir – his birthplace – in a ceremony in the town hall on June 7 1930. He received a silver casket, engraved with views of some of his favourite places, which contained the freedom scroll.”