Falkirk Junior Bike Club on the road to 10k for Strathcarron hospice

The club decided that they would do all they could to raise money for 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, with Naomi Freireich, Cara Drackford and Ceilidh Malcolm rounding off a final distance travelled for the club members of over 750 miles.

The distance travelled was not the focus, with the club determined to raise as much money as possible.

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, that total has continued to rise towards £9000. With renewed enthusiasm, the club community continues towards the ambition to hit £10000 before closing the fundraiser down and passing the funds raised over to Strathcarron.

Head of coaching at the club, Fraser Johnston, 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.

“We may be socially distanced, but I feel that in my own club we have become closer over this current period, in innovating how we interact with both my coaching team, our parents/guardians and our members.

“Our aim from the start has been to bring a bit of normality into the lives of our members and their families.

“Thank you to everyone who has donated so far to our fundraiser - we are simply blown away by the response!”