PICTURES: Bridge to Bridge Cycle 2022 for the charity Dream Believe Achieve Highland proves a huge hit with cyclists and fundraisers – and tops the 340,000 mark – after 90 riders' brave challenging route from the Skye Bridge to Kessock Bridge outside Inverness
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• all pics by John-Alasdair MacAulay (except aerial shot by Ray Shields)
A spectacular coast-to-coast cycling event to help children with additional needs has smashed through the £40,000 fundraising mark.
Culbokie couple Kevin and Heather Bannerman dreamt up the Bridge to Bridge fundraiser – from the Skye Bridge to the Kessock Bridge – to boost the charity Dream, Believe, Achieve Highland.
It works to transform lives by funding specialist treatments and therapies not available to families through the NHS.
The Bannermans' own son Liam (14) is one of those who has received life-changing assistance from the organisation.
To mark their 50th birthdays, the couple settled on the fundraising idea and then opted to invite an eventual 90 riders to join them.
RELATED STORY: 'Bridge to Bridge 2022' charity cycle from Skye Bridge to Kessock Bridge hits £10k
Through challenging and beautiful scenery, the day proved a massive success with organised foodstops and traffic control along the route.
Mr Bannerman has been blown away by the fundraising efforts of those taking part, as well as the generosity of donors.
“The latest figure is beyond anything we imagined when we came up with the idea,” he admitted.
“We still have a lot to come in as well. We’re not sure how high it might go.
“When we were sitting at £3000 and having a meeting about it, my wife Heather said she would do it next year if we got to £10,000.
“It is phenomenal – unbelievable, really.
“At a time when so many people are concerned about finances, the generosity of folk has been quite incredible.”
Reflecting on a day filled with goodwill, laughter and friendly atmosphere, he added: “Everyone I spoke to said it was great, a really fun day.
“Apart from the competitive racers at the start, everyone was very chilled out and up for a laugh.
“The food stops were great fun, with a lot of banter.
“People also thought the old ladies at the Garve food stop were so funny, which just happened to be my mum and all her pals!”
Mr Bannerman is hoping for a repeat event, but perhaps not a repeat route next year given some safety concerns from traffic at certain stretches along the way.
“We’ll probably do something, but whether it’s the same route, I don’t know.”
