Batty battles weather on charity cycle

STV weatherman Sean Batty battled through wind, rain, mist and fog to complete the most northerly part of his charity cycle for the STV Appeal 2013 on Sunday, having crossed Yell, Unst and the north mainland of Shetland.

Given his job it only seemed appropriate that Batty should have faced all weathers as he cycled from Britain’s northernmost brewery down to Frankie’s Fish and Chip Shop in Brae for a fish supper refuel.

“So far it’s been OK,” he shrugged. “The rain’s not been helping – I’m soaked through!

“My heart sunk a little bit when I read the forecast because I’ve never really cycled in the rain, so it caught us out a bit.”

Batty was delighted with the generosity he had encountered in the isles, having raised £1,000 in Lerwick alone on Saturday pushing his total tally up to £6,500 on day one of the actual cycle.

“There’s lots more people to meet on the way round central and southern Shetland and then Orkney, and I dare say there will be more through the JustGiving page.”

On Monday Batty undertakes the final Lerwick to Sumburgh leg of the Shetland part of his 150 mile cycle the length of the northern isles, which he hopes will raise more than the £8,000 from his previous charity cycle.

The 31 year old may be best known as a meteorologist to most, but he’s also an ambassador for the STV Appeal that raises money to tackle child poverty, having charity cycled on its behalf around the western isles and between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

“The reason I get involved in the charity is the money it raises stays in Scotland, and I think that’s really important. A lot of the charities you give money to, you never really see what the money’s doing,” he said.

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“Every council area has benefitted from the STV Appeal and I think that’s a great thing. The money’s going to stay here, it’s going to help Scotland’s children out of poverty.

“Let’s sort our own problems out before we start thinking about other people’s.”

Frankie’s manager John Gold was keen to join Batty on the appeal, as the award winning fish and chip shop does a charity cycle for the Fisherman’s Mission every year.

“When we got the email through from Sean and the STV Appeal then straight away we thought we’d get involved and cycle with him from Unst.

“It’s been a great appeal. The support he’s had up here already has been brilliant, and the crew with him have been speaking about the generosity of the Shetland people.

“It’s good for Frankie’s as well, just to be involved in this. We’re doing this for the STV Appeal, we’re doing the charity cycle for the Fisherman’s Mission – we’re just happy to be involved.

“Like Sean says, the money staying in Scotland makes a big difference. You donate money in this appeal, it helps people in your country.”

Sean Batty’s JustGiving page for the appeal can be found here.

Iwan MacBride