A SENIOR accounting manager from bp who lost her right eye due to ocular (eye) cancer will join 65 current and former bp colleagues on a coast-to-coast cycle to raise money for the charity which supported her before and after diagnosis.
The route covers 250 miles, and over 5,000 meters of ascent, between Ayr and Aberdeen in three days over the Jubilee Weekend in June.
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Katie Butler felt inspired by the community spirit of her company’s annual fundraising event and wanted to do something similar after moving to bp North Sea in October 2018.
The money she raises will go to Aberdeen-based cancer charity Maggie’s, which was a huge support to her. Any money raised by bp employees is matched by the bp Foundation – doubling the value of any contributions.
She said: “While welcoming home the riders from the 2019 Coast 2 Coast challenge on a beautiful May day I thought I’d love to do something like that. There was such a celebratory atmosphere, and it was a real team event.”
A few weeks later she was diagnosed with eye cancer and her plans went on hold whilst she spent six months recovering from surgery, treatment and adjusting to life with no sight on her right side and having an artificial eye.
After returning to work in 2020, Katie started cycling during lockdown and when the office opened again, bp organised a sign-up event for the 2022 bike ride. With some encouragement from colleagues, she joined the challenge and nominated Maggie’s Aberdeen as one of the four local charities riders could fundraise for.
She had already been involved with fundraising for the cancer support charity nationally but wanted to raise awareness of the work they do for people affected by cancer in Aberdeen.
She said: “Before I had my diagnosis, I didn’t know who to turn to. It’s not one of the big cancers. I knew about Maggie’s because one of my team recommended them. I went down there, and it was such a safe place. I was so welcomed. People helped explain what might happen to me and it was Maggie’s I went to for pre and post operative counselling.”
Katie chose to stay in Aberdeen, rather than go to London for treatment, because of Maggie’s Aberdeen. She explained: “Whilst my diagnosis and treatment took place in Glasgow, it was Maggie’s Aberdeen that helped me deal with cancer and to heal. Maggie’s was a beautiful space that provided support for myself and my family. It taught me how to live with cancer.”
After learning to walk again with confidence, the 250-mile cycle is the first time Katie has taken on something as physically challenging.
There’s been a rigorous training regime, which has entailed cycling increasingly long distances each week of up to 106km, in preparation for the three-day ride.
Katie explained how challenging it’s been to cycle with reduced peripheral vision.
She said: “Being blind on the roadside, I wasn’t sure how I’d manage cycling alongside others, but I’ve taken suggestions from the team. I’ve got a radar on my bike now. I have a bike computer and I’ve got fitter and stronger. I’ve felt so included by my colleagues and its exactly what I hoped it would be when I spectated back in 2019.”
This is the 13th year the bp Coast 2 Coast bike ride has been running. Since its inaugural ride across Scotland in 2008, bp cyclists have raised more than £1.8 million for local charities. The goal this year is to hit the £2 million milestone.
In addition to the cycle, bp organised a Coast 2 Coast ceilidh at the Chester Hotel on the 21st of May. The total raised for the event was nearly £1000 and the proceeds will be split between charities Aberdeenshire North Foodbank, AberNecessities, Camphill School Aberdeen and Maggie’s.
The Coast 2 Coast challenge is open to all cyclists of all abilities with individuals covering their own accommodation and food costs. Each cyclist has a fundraising target of £1,000, with participants able to nominate a charity to benefit from the amount raised.
Maggie’s is one of four local charities that will benefit from fundraising this year.
Maggie’s centre fundraising manager, Richard Stewart said: “It’s a real blessing to see gifts like this come in, especially with the uncertainty we face around living costs and the reduction in fundraising activity we’ve experienced in the past few years due to Covid. The more income and pledges of support we receive the more we can plan with confidence to ensure our services are available to help all those affected by cancer in our community.”
He continued to explain what the money will be used for: “The main thing financial support goes toward is the day to day running costs of the centre. It costs £12,000 to keep Maggie’s running for one week, that’s around £2,400 per day. Money raised from the Coast 2 Coast cycle in previous years has been enough to fund two to three weeks of support at the centre.”
To sponsor a cyclist taking part in the challenge, you can select your preferred cause and click the link below.
AberNecessities – https://www.justgiving.com/team/AberNecessities
Maggie’s – https://www.justgiving.com/team/bpC2C13
North Aberdeenshire Foodbank – https://www.justgiving.com/team/ANF
Camphill Schools – https://localgiving.org/appeal/C2CScotland/
