In these challenging times, it has been inspirational to see many of our clubs willing to play their part, using their collectiveness as a club, to raise money for good causes.
In this article, we focus on three clubs that have been raising funds in recent weeks. If your club has been doing similar, get in touch with us so we can share your endeavours.
Montvelo CC - Everesting on Zwift to raise money for SAMH
Seven Montvelo Cycling Club members each took on a Virtual Everesting Challenge and climbed a grand total of 58,624 metres to raise over four thousand pounds for The Scottish Association of Mental Health (SAMH)
On the 25th April, four members from the cycling club; Andy Inglis, Douglas Glen, Matt Gibson and Steven Fyfe were meant to be cycling the Mallorca 312, a 200 mile race around the island with 5000m of climbing. Dismayed at not being able to take part due to the coronavirus pandemic the group turned their head to a new challenge and focused their efforts on raising funds and awareness for the Scottish Association of Mental Health.
Everesting is the challenge to climb the height of Mount Everest (8848m) over one ride by repeating repetitions of the same hill. The group of riders used the technology of Zwift to recreate this indoors, ascending the Alpe du Zwift which mirrors the famous Alpe Du Huez in every way, except for rain and headwinds!
The concept created by Hells 500, took the first group around 12 hours each to complete, cheered along the way through a Zoom call which saw other club members join for some of the ride and cheer them on their way.
Watching the determination of the first group and seeing them raise valuable funds, three more cyclists; Rich Ballantyne, Brian Slessor and Paul Dailly were inspired to undertake a similar gruelling challenge only 6 days later. Paul Dailly completed a half Everest (base camp), Brian Slessor climbed the full height and Rich Ballantyne went one step further to achieve 10,000m.
Andy Inglis, Montvelo club chairman commented “ Lockdown has caused a huge void in sport with so many annual events cancelled and club rides on hold. This fundraising event was a personal challenge for all seven of us, but it also united fellow members, friends and family as they encouraged us along the way.”
Stepping Stanes Youth CC - Traversing the Southern Upland Way to raise money for local Care Home
The clubs Wellbeing and Protection Officer is the manager of a local Care Home, Charnwood Lodge, so the club endeavoured to raise funds to provide some treats for the residents to support them during the current lockdown.
The goal was simple, collectively, how many times could the club traverse the equivalent distance of the Southern Upland Way which stretches from Portpatrick in the West to Cockburnspath in the East, spanning a total of 212 miles.
Riders set off from early morning, cycling with their families, using the fantastic network of routes which can be found across Dumfries and Galloway. With the last riders rolling in at just before 8pm. the club had reached an incredible distance of over 1400 miles.
Their initial fundraising target was £100, which they smashed again and again, with the current total sitting at £1440 - incredible work!
Stepping Stanes Youth CC Chair Paula Voce said: "This was the most positive challenge we have done. So many parents messaged to say it made it a great day. Just need to keep the momentum up, keep the challenges coming and sticking to the guidance".
Relive the day from Stepping Stanes by watching their wrap-up video here
Falkirk Junior Bike Club - 12 Hour Lockdown Relay for Strathcarron Hospice
The club decided that they would do all they could to raise money for their local hospice Strathcarron, to support them at this time as many of the hospice’s traditional fundraising routes have been shut down by the coronavirus pandemic. Setting off at 8am, the first four riders covered a distance of 53 miles collectively, at a time when the fundraising total sat at around £3000.
Over the course of the day, over 70 club riders set out for an hour leg, at half hour intervals from 9am onwards until the last trio of riders finished their ride at 8pm, rounding off a final distance travelled for the club members of over 750 miles.
The club held a Facebook Live video with all participants at 8pm at which point it was confirmed that the total raised was closing in on £8000. In the days since (with the prospect that their Head Coach would shave their head!) the total continued to rise with the final total being £10198
Club Chair, Mark Drackford said: “Clubs are a community, and never has that felt that stronger than during the virtual relay. Speaking to parents of our participants throughout the day, they felt this had come at the right time, five weeks since we’d last been altogether, and it reinforced that connectedness that they all have with the club.Our aim from the start has been to bring a bit of normality into the lives of our members and their families."
FJBC have created a video highlighting the journey throughout the day which you can watch here
