bp Coast 2 Coast charity bike ride aims to hit £2m milestone this year
CYCLING enthusiasts from bp are swapping their trainers for dancing shoes this weekend as part of a fundraising drive to raise £200,000 for four north-east charities.
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The Coast 2 Coast ceilidh will take place at The Chester Hotel on Saturday, May 21, with all proceeds split between charities Aberdeenshire North Foodbank, AberNecessities, Camphill School Aberdeen and Maggie’s.
A limited number of tickets are still available for the event here.
The ceilidh is being organising by bp’s Coast 2 Coast cycling team – a group of 65 current and former bp employees who will ride more than 250 miles from Ayr to Aberdeen in three days over the Queen’s Jubilee weekend.
The bp Coast 2 Coast bike ride has raised around £1.8million for local charities by cycling across Scotland annually since 2008. Now in its thirteenth year, the riders are aiming to hit the £2million total fundraising milestone, with funding from the ceilidh event contributing to the total.
Jon Turnbull retired from bp in 2017 following 38 years with the energy company. He was involved in the creation of Coast 2 Coast and has taken part in every challenge since.
He said: “The Coast 2 Coast cycle has grown from around 20 participants in its first year to being a much-loved annual staff event which has raised a huge amount for charities close to the hearts of bp colleagues.
“With COVID causing a setback for so many fundraising activities recently, we look forward to welcoming guests to the ceilidh at The Chester for what we’re sure will be a brilliant evening in aid of four inspirational local charities. It’s the perfect opportunity to get together ahead of taking on what we’re sure will be a challenging, but rewarding, cycle.”
The challenge is open to 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. All fundraising money raised by bp employees is matched by the bp Foundation – doubling the value of any contributions.
Katie Butler who is a senior accounting manager for bp was diagnosed with ocular (eye) cancer in 2019. As part of her treatment Katie was supported by Maggie’s in Aberdeen, the charity she’ll be cycling in aid of as she takes on the challenge for the first time this year.
She said: “While my diagnosis and treatment took place in Glasgow, it was Maggie’s Aberdeen that helped me deal with cancer and to heal. What I found at Maggie’s was a beautiful space where I could process my emotions, support for myself and my family and specialist staff who took me from a tearful, fearful person to someone who was able to ask questions and face the answers.
“I’m nervous and excited about the upcoming Coast 2 Coast challenge. Cycling with reduced visibility isn’t easy but I’m incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to take part and in doing so I hope to raise awareness of the amazing support offered by the Maggie’s team, who continue to be a lifeline to myself and many others affected by cancer.”
Tickets for the Coast 2 Coast Ceilidh are £31.85 and can be purchased here. Ceilidh band Ceilidh Fusion will be performing and food is included in the ticket price. There will also be the opportunity to take part in a raffle and other fundraising games on the night with proceeds being split between Aberdeenshire North Foodbank, AberNecessities, Camphill School Aberdeen and Maggie’s.
To sponsor cyclists taking part in the challenge please select your preferred cause and click the link below.
AberNecessities – https://www.justgiving.com/team/AberNecessities
Maggies – https://www.justgiving.com/team/bpC2C13
North Aberdeenshire Foodbank – https://www.justgiving.com/team/ANF
Camphill Schools – https://localgiving.org/appeal/C2CScotland/
