Strathpeffer man recovers from injury to complete epic 2513km bike ride for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and Dingwall Puffin Pool
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A STRATHPEFFER man forced to postpone an epic fundraiser after sustaining a nasty accident got back in the saddle to benefit two causes close to his heart.
And in so doing, Gareth Heathcote covered a distance of 2513km – with 22,929m of ascent – to raise £2605 through 139 hours of cycling.
The 60-year-old showed stamina and determination to complete the epic after wife Kate set up a JustGiving fundraiser for the “My Name’5 Doddie Foundation”.
Doddie Weir was a Scottish rugby player who died in November 2022 of motor neurone disease. Gareth and Kate lost a friend to this disease a few years ago and chose this charity because of this and the link to rugby through their son, Tom, who has played for Scotland.
On June 14 Gareth, set off from Strathpeffer on the first leg – a 1400km ride to Salisbury where the couple lived for 25 years.
After some rest, recuperation and birthday celebrations, he embarked on part two of the Big Ride South: Salisbury to St Gervais, near Chamonix in France – another 1000km with Kate as the support driver. They arrived just before the Tour de France hit town.
The trip had been planned for summer 2022 but a nasty bike crash, resulting in a broken hip, meant it had to be postponed until 2023, which coincides with Gareth's 60th birthday.
Funds have also been raised for the Highland Puffin Pool in Dingwall, where Gareth had lots of hydrotherapy as part of his rehabilitation last year.
Only one charity can be nominated on JustGiving so the aim was to match fund the first £500 raised on this site with a donation to the Puffin Pool.
Gareth said: “It was an amazing experience and now I'm planning for next summer – possibly to Nice where the Tour de France will finish. I am overwhelmed by the support and generosity of friends and donors, who encouraged me along the way."
