Pedal power gives mental health charity Mikeysline a boost as Anytime Fitness gym and Tesco team up for virtual Caledonian Canal challenge
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Kind-hearted shoppers have been praised after they dug deep to help raise more than £1000 for charity during an in-store challenge.
The new gym, Anytime Fitness Inverness, and Tesco’s Dores Road store teamed up to host a Cycle the Canal challenge recently in aid of Highland mental health charity Mikeysline.
The gym brought several of its fitness bikes to the supermarket, where participants tried to cycle as many lengths of the Caledonian Canal as possible during the multi-hour event.
Some 21 people took part on the day, covering the equivalent distance of 234 miles – and raising £1009 through a mix of online donations and coins and noted from passing shoppers.
Anytime Fitness Inverness club manager Ally Pollock has praised the efforts of those who took part, and the generousness of those who donated.
Ally said: “I was very taken by the amount of support and encouragement that the public gave us and the support that the Tesco staff gave – as they got very involved in cycling with us.
“The public’s reaction was very positive, with people taking time to chat to us about what we where doing.”
Ally added that the choice of the Mikeysline charity also chimed with passing shoppers.
“We had some very moving moments when people that have been directly effected by suicide of both close family and children told us how happy they where to see support for the charity and bringing the topic to people’s attention again.
“We had people go to the auto teller and withdraw money just so they could give to us – it was fantastic.”
And the success of the day’s fundraiser is likely to be repeated in the near future, with Ally confirming: “We have made a commitment to continue to support Mikeysline and other local charities on a regular basis.”
Anytime Fitness Inverness is set to open its doors for the first time in Harbour Road this summer. The new gym will be based inside the former Arnold Clark Skoda car showroom.
Related story: Mental health charity Mikeysline launches new service for young people in the Highlands