Members of staff from a leading North-east fire and gas industry fire protection company are celebrating after completing a gruelling charity bike ride.
Blaze Manufacturing Solutions employees Dougie Young, Russelll Ingram, and Jamie Johnson, saddled up for the Corrieyairack Challenge, raising £1,188 for The Speyside Trust Badaguish Outdoor Centre.
The centre is a small independent charity helping children and adults with learning difficulties and other special needs enjoy the challenge of the outdoors.
The Trust needs funds to further develop its respite care activity holidays andwork experience/vocational training programmes, and various fundraising activities take place throughout the year, including the annual Corrieyairack Challenge.
The trio from the specialist company cycled 52 miles during the event, covering Scotland’s highest mountain road, tackling strong head winds, rain, flooding, and slippery mountain terrain.
The Blaze team had a successful run with Mr Young finishing second in the senior category in an impressive four hours 10 minutes, and Mr Johnson taking ninth place in the same category. Mr Ingram came in fifth place in the veteran category.
Blaze Manufacturing Solutions, finance manager, Ann Johnson, said: “The firm positively encourages and supports staff to get involved in this type of activity, and understandably, fitting training for the event around work proved difficult at times, but the team got out and about as much as they could to ensure their fitness levels were at their peak for the event.
“Blaze co-workers and friends of the team gave generous contributions to add to their fundraising pot. We are extremely proud of Dougie, Russell and Jamie for their achievements, tackling one of Scotland’s toughest routes while battling against truly Scottish weather conditions.”
Mr Young added: “The Corrieyairack Challenge is certainly a grueling cycle, but we stuck together and got through the eventcoming across some harsh weather conditions on the way. We are pleased that the money raised will go to such a worthy cause.”