Nairn-based cycling charity gets £5k first prize from ‘Spirit of Our Community’ fund
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A Nairn trust providing cycling opportunities for children with severe disabilities took home the top prize at an award organised by spirits company International Beverage – who own Speyburn distillery.
The Watermill Foundation, which operates as The Highland Cycle Ability Centre, was given £5000 for being the winning recipient of this year’s Spirit of Our Community Awards in the competition’s Highland region.
The foundation was set up ten years ago by Alastair and Joanna McGregor, in response to a challenge from Highland Disability Sport to set up a charity especially for youngsters with disabilities with a sporting theme.
It has since welcomed over 500 young people and their carers to its outdoor track near Cawdor, and on outreach visits in remote rural communities in the Highlands and Moray.
Chair of the Watermill Foundation, Jo McGregor explained: "Often specially adapted bikes are needed to help people with complex needs get the benefit of cycling, which is where our fleet of 75 bikes comes into play.
"Our centre caters for children with a whole range of complex needs and the benefits they experience from having the freedom to ride and being out in the open air is remarkable. Winning the award is fantastic news and will enable us to continue making cycling accessible to all."
The prize has been donated by the premium spirits producer International Beverage to the charity.
Those who have used the centre report that their cycling experiences leave them fitter, happier, more confident and better able to communicate their emotions.
Spirit of Our Community Awards organiser, International Beverage business support manager Eileen Rae commented: "The Watermill Foundation is such a pioneering charity and their work really inspired our panel of judges.
"A foundation that helps those with disabilities generate a greater sense of independence and agency is a worthy winner in our eyes and we are thrilled to support their work going forward."
In addition to the £5000 winner fund, two additional runner up donations of £600 each were also awarded to Young Enterprise Scotland Highland and Moray and Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.
The business also donated to all of the charities that were unsuccessful in this year’s competition.
The Spirit of Our Community Awards were launched in 2022 to celebrate and reward people and organisations working hard to make a difference in the community around Airdrie – where the company has its head office.
In 2023 the initiative was extended to communities close to the company’s five Scottish distilleries, where separate prize funds were allocated.
Judged by a mix of International Beverage employees and external associates, the Zone 2 competition was open to any charity or not for profit organisation based within a 25-mile radius of the business’s Speyburn, Knockdhu and Balmenach distilleries.
The scheme is International Beverage’s biggest charity commitment to date and members of the team plan to take up volunteering opportunities with selected charities where possible.
