Saddle up and help raise vital funds for Inverness charity
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An Inverness charity is defying lockdown and pushing ahead with a popular cycling event to raise cash.
The Oxygen Works has been running the 3Cs Challenge for six years – but this year will be a little bit different as Covid-19 regulations continue to restrict events.
The charity, formerly known as the Inverness MS Centre, was originally set up by and for people living with MS, but has now grown to help people with a variety of medical conditions
Beth Morrison, operations director for the charity on Burnett Road, said every donation would make a difference, with £20 paying for an individual treatment for someone to use its services.
Ms Morrison said: “The 3Cs Challenge is now in its sixth year and we made the decision that we were not going to let Covid-19 put the event on hold and have focused on making it bigger and better than ever.
“The event is a bit different, but the most important thing is that our annual cycle challenge is still here.”
She explained that like the original challenge, there are three distances that people of all abilities are being encouraged to take part in.
Participants have the option to challenge themselves to ride 100 miles, challenge their friends to find a hilly 54-mile route, or get their kids on their bikes and have a family day out and take their time enjoying a 17-mile ride.
She continued: “The 3Cs challenge has always been heavily focused on the social side, as well as being inclusive of the more competitive through to the leisure and new cyclist and I have been keen to pull this into the virtual challenge where possible, encouraging people to make it their personal challenge, as a 17-mile cycle can be as challenging to some people as taking part in the Tour de France. “
To sign up, people have to find a route – which can be on road, off road, a mix of both or online through a platform like Zwift – and post their ride once completed.
The charity had to close its doors for five months this year, due to lockdown and Ms Morrison said: “Had someone told me at the start of 2020 this would happen, I would have said the centre would never open again, so the fact we have once again opened our doors is beyond incredible.
“It is thanks to individuals, businesses and government support that we have got ourselves into a strong enough financial position.
“A small donation of £20 to take part in the 3Cs challenge goes a long way.”
As a special treat, Oxygen Works are planning to give a prize to the person taking on the most inspiring challenge, to sign up see more at www.theoxygenworks.com/fundraising.
