A TEAM of amateur cyclists will pedal from Dumbarton to Aberdeen in a coast-to-coast challenge to raise money for four charities.
The BP Coast 2 Coast event, which will take place this June, will involve 70 participants and pass through Aberfeldy, Grantown on Spey, and the Lecht.
The cycle is in aid of the Russell Anderson Foundation, Simpsons Special Care Babies, the Teddy Bear Development Playgroup and Murtle Market by Camphill School.
The 234-mile cycle will take place over three days from 6 June 2025. Now in its 16th year, the endurance challenge has raised more than £2m for charity.
BP North Sea employees select four charities to benefit from the cycle’s proceeds each year.
This year, committee member and BP TAR specialist Gary McIntosh, a Coast 2 Coast veteran who has completed the ride four times, nominated the Russell Anderson Foundation.
The foundation, run by ex-professional footballer Russell Anderson, aims to improve the health and well-being of children in Aberdeen’s socially deprived areas through programmes.
Gary McIntosh said: “Through my involvement with the foundation, I was able to see firsthand the work it does in the local community to support children and their families.
“The ethos of the foundation is all about giving every child a chance to be the best that they can be, and this aligns with our desire at BP to support social mobility in the areas where we live and work.
“It will be great on the last day of the cycle, when we reach the summit of a small hill called the Lecht, to take a moment to catch our breath and think about the difference we can make to the local community by raising as much money as possible for the foundation and all our chosen charities.
“We will also have the knowledge that the rest of the ride that day is downhill!”
The challenge is open to cyclists of all abilities, and individuals cover their own accommodation and food costs.
Each cyclist has a fundraising target of £1,000, and the total fundraising is split between the four charities.
The group is mainly made up of BP employees, alumni, representatives from the chosen charities, and local organisations.
The BP Foundation will match any money raised by BP employees, doubling the value of their contributions.
As one of four charities to benefit from the fundraising this year, the Russell Anderson Foundation will use any money raised to continue delivering educational sessions in its 13 partner schools in Aberdeen.
Russell Anderson, founder of the foundation, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to learn that we had been chosen as one of the charities for this year’s BP Coast 2 Coast challenge and our heartfelt thanks goes to BP for its support.
“Funds such as these are a vital part of the support we can give local children and young people.
“For our sins, Louise Douglas, our business development and fundraising manager, and I will be joining around 70 other cyclists in June for what will be a challenging but enjoyable few days, I’m sure.
“Obviously, I would encourage everyone to support this extremely worthwhile campaign if they can, as we attempt to top last year’s incredible total.”
To sponsor one of the four Coast 2 Coast charities, select your preferred cause and click the link below.