A determined group of oil workers are hoping to raise £1million for good causes by getting on their bikes for a coast-to-coast cycling challenge.
Ninety current and former BP employees are gearing-up for the event, which will involve tackling a 250-mile route from Skye or Oban to Aberdeen.
In its seven previous years, the event has raised more than £837,000, which includes match-funding from BP.
The group is also hoping that this year’s effort will tip the total into seven figures, which would represent a magnificent achievement.
“This is a particularly important year for the Coast to Coast challenge,” said Jon Turnbull, who has been involved with the expanding project from day one.
“The original principles of the event – to raise significant funds for those less fortunate, to promote a commitment to fitness and to encourage occasional riders to get involved – remain the same.
“There is, however, an extra buzz this time around due to the £1million target, the increased number of riders and, most importantly, the additional capacity to raise even more money for good causes.”
Organisations which benefit from the event are MND Scotland, which supports people affected by motor neurone disease, children’s charity Charlie House, mental health charity Support in Mind Scotland and family support charity Home-Start Aberdeen.
The Coast to Coast challenge has been linked with MND Scotland since its inception, in support of former BP colleague Ian Bowen, and there have been all manner of individual and team initiatives designed to raise charity cash.
MND Scotland provides support for people affected by the condition, raises awareness of the disease and funds research to understand it and find a cure.
Georgette Cobban, the scheme manager at Home-Start Aberdeen, said: “We are extremely touched by our selection as one of the four charities to benefit from the 2016 Coast to Coast Challenge.
“The commitment of the cyclists, coupled with the matched funding from BP, is amazing. The assistance will make a real difference to our ability to reach local families who desperately need our help.”
The event will take place from May 20-22 and, come rain or shine, the participants will ignore the pain barrier on their personal and collective quests.
There might be problems in the oil and gas sector at the moment.
But here is ample proof that many of those who work in the sector are determined to do a lot more than just worry about themselves.
To donate go to
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/c2c_8
.