Dozens of current and former oil and gas workers have completed a gruelling cycle, over mountains and across rivers, in order to raise much needed cash for three charities.
Over the course of three days earlier this month, 49 cyclists, all of them either current of former BP workers, biked 270 miles, climbing a combined 15,000 feet along the way, for the Coast to Coast challenge.
Setting off from Tongue on the north coast of Scotland on September 3, the riders travelled down past Ben Hope, Scotland’s most northerly Munro, to Dornoch, Caithness.
On the second day, the group headed through Inverness and climbed up into the Cairngorms, before stopping at Grantown on Spey for the night.
The route then took them along the river Spey, with one final climb over the Cabrach before being welcomed back to Aberdeen by friends, family and the charities.
To date, the riders have raised almost £39,000 – £47,000 with gift aid.
The total amount will then be matched by BP and shared across three Aberdeenshire charities.
Friends of Wood RecylAbility, based in Pitmedden, provides an inclusive environment for adults with additional support needs, providing them with work experience and development.
The Grampian Child Bereavement service, supported by the ARCHIE Foundation, provides vital care for children who have lost a loved one.
The charity also provides support to babies, parents and staff at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital’s Neonatal Unit.
The Grampian Flyers Basketball Club is the north-east premier club and has a wheelchair basketball team that competes throughout Scotland.
Nandini Nagra, Coast 2 Coast committee chair and BP geophysicist, said: “Last year, due to Covid, BP’s Coast 2 Coast cycle took on a different form as riders set out on their own or in smaller groups to clock up the miles for charity. This time, with restrictions eased, it was fantastic for nearly 50 of us to gather and share in this experience while raising more vital funds for our chosen charities through the generosity of friends, family and colleagues.
“Since its inception 12 years ago, Coast 2 Coast has raised more than £1.75 million for several worthy causes. We’re on track to add another £50,000 to that total from this year’s cycle, which will be further boosted by match funding from BP.
“BP is delighted to be able support our three chosen charities for 2021 – Grampian Child Bereavement Network, Friends of Wood RecyclAbility and Grampian Flyers Wheelchair Basketball Club – all of whom have endured their own challenges over the past 18 months.”