Cyclists prepare for fishing charity mission
Between June 9 -11 the Fishermen’s Mission supporters are to carry out the sponsored highly challenging cycle between the fishing ports of Ullapool, Lochinver, Kinlochbervie, Scrabster, Stromness and Kirkwall.
Cyclists Craig Taylor and Roy Norquoy will be supported by Colin Taylor of Kirkwall based Sea Gear Supplies in a support vehicle, with Westminster Fuels of Elgin sponsoring the accommodation on the journey. NorthLink Ferries is kindly supporting the team by providing travel for the event. Local bike shop Cycle Orkney are also supporting the team in supplying spare parts to take along, should they be required on the tough route, famed for its steep hills and challenging terrain.
An online page where donations can be made is at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ullapool-Kirkwall200
Craig and Roy were part of the team who last year raised almost £5000 for the Fishermen’s Mission, and are now in training for the challenging event.
In 2016 the pair cycled a total of 108 miles in Orkney and Caithness having travelled a circular route, crossing the Pentland Firth twice, thanks to the support of Pentland Ferries and NorthLink Ferries. Two weeks before, Craig, accompanied by family members George Currie, David Currie, Erlend Currie and Magnus Currie, hiked up Ben Nevis as part of the sponsored challenge.
Earlier this year the team were named Fishermen’s Mission ‘Team of the Year’ with Craig and Roy set to travel to London to attend the awards ceremony later this month. The others are unable to make the trip due to other commitments.The achievement also resulted a further accolade recently, when Orkney MSP Liam McArthur tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament, congratulating the team on winning the award, and highlighting the valuable work that the Mission carries out in Fishing communities.
In a bid to boost the fundraising total, at The Skipper Expo Aberdeen fishing exhibition which takes place on May 26-27 at the AECC, Colin will be manning the rope manufacturer Cotesi stand, and is arranging a prize draw of donated marine related equipment, with funds raised going towards the total raised by the team.
All involved say that they are very much looking forward to the event, and again raising money for the Fishermen’s Mission, a charity which does so much good work, very quietly and discreetly behind the scenes in coastal communities.
The Fishermen’s Mission is the only fishermen’s charity that provides emergency support alongside practical, financial, spiritual and emotional care.
The charity helps all fishermen, active or retired, and their families, in times of need.