Community / Beattie gets on his bike for Scotland-wide Samaritans fundraiser
NEIL Beattie’s fundraising cycle around Scotland has been a long time coming – around 16 years, to be exact.
He set off this afternoon (Wednesday) on a long-held quest to cycle around all 19 branches of the Samaritans in Scotland, with more than £1,000 raised for the charity already.
Beattie – who works in the council as a catering team leader – said his mum was the chairperson of the Samaritans in Scotland, and had often raised the idea of a bike ride for the charity.
Fittingly he pedalled off from the Lerwick branch of Samaritans near to the town hall, with a short trip to the NorthLink ferry terminal to begin with.
Beattie, who said he has had the idea for more than 15 years, will then cycle to Samaritans branches all around Scotland – Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Falkirk, Edinburgh, Selkirk, Dumfries, Hamilton, Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Greenock, Stornoway, Elgin, Inverness, Thurso and Orkney.
He reckons the trip will cover more than 1,200 miles and could take around a fortnight of cycling.
Speaking the day before he set off, the Burra-based Beattie said some of his preparations have included cycling to and from work in Lerwick.
He quipped that he is “ready for the pain” of cycling for two weeks, but said when it is for charity “it gives you that extra bit of motivation to keep going and push through”.
The fundraiser said given there is no race element to the challenge he will not be rushed getting around the branches – and he hopes he might get a “cup of tea and a sandwich” during his visits before setting off again.
Beattie conceded one of his biggest pre-trip nerves is getting off the ferry on Thursday morning.
Normally he would get off the ferry and turn left to go south but he will have to get on his bike, “turn right and go straight up to Union Street up that big hill, so it’s not a great start – but I’m sure it will be fine”.
Meanwhile the Samaritans offers free emotional support to anyone who may be struggling, giving folk a safe space for people to talk without judgement or pressure.
The charity can be contacted on 116 123 free of charge.
People can donate to Beattie’s online fundraising page here.
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