Doddie Aid charity cyclists led by Scotland legend Rob Wainwright aim to have a ball pedalling from Scotland to Rome – helped by Inverness firm
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Inverness-based hire firm North500 Motorhomes is gearing up to support a charity fundraiser led by one former rugby hero in memory of another.
Ex-Scotland captain and British & Irish Lions legend Rob Wainwright is heading up a pack of hardy cyclists on an All Roads Lead to Rome challenge.
It will raise funds for the Doddie Aid, the charity which raises vital funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research after the illness borne by the late, great Scotland international Doddie Weir.
Wainwright and his team will be transporting the match ball for the Italy v Scotland 6 Nations match on Saturday, March 9.
The North500 vehicles will be making their way from Oban in the early hours of Monday, March 4, supporting Rob’s team as they cycle the gruelling 1800-plus miles through the UK, France and on to the Italian capital.
North 500 Motorhomes, based in Inverness, regularly welcomes visitors from across the Highlands and UK,as well as Europe, USA and Australasia.
With a range of different-sized vehicles to suit all travellers, they were deemed the perfect company to support the challenge’s needs.
Operations director Colin Harrison said: “When we were approached by Rob and the Doddie Aid team to support the ‘All Roads Lead to Rome’ cycle, we jumped at the opportunity to help the cyclists and support their amazing challenge.
“Our luxury vehicles will certainly ensure the team have somewhere comfortable and excellently equipped to relax after an exhausting day cycling.
“Our vehicles normally scale the heights across the Highlands and Islands and Scotland so will be swapping the spectacular and rugged NC500 route for the Alps on this occasion.
“North500 Motorhomes are honoured to play a small part in supporting what is a really exciting challenge.
“We wish everyone taking part the best of luck in reaching Rome as well as achieving their massive fundraising target which will aid the vital research needed into MND”.
Wainwright said: “This is the biggest cycling challenge for the Doddie Aid team yet and we thank North500 Motorhomes for their generous support in providing these support vehicles.
“We look forward to arriving into Rome and the Piazza Navona with the match ball on Friday March 8.”
As part of the celebrations, Wainwright is inviting all rugby fans in Rome to two memorable events over the weekend:
March 8, 5pm: Welcome the core team into Rome as they arrive with the match ball at Piazza Navona.
March 9, noon for 12.15pm: Join thousands of Scottish Rugby fans as the cyclists meet at the Piazza del Popolo a couple of hours before the Scotland vs Italy match kicks off and march en-masse in Doddie headbands to the Stadio Olympico.
