A group of businessmen are getting on their bikes to take on a mountainous charity challenge… to cycle the North Coast 500 route in five days in aid of The Archie Foundation.
Stuart Winterburn, managing director of IT specialists Dynamic Edge, will be joined by fellow members of the Dynamic Edge team, senior software developer Gordon MacRae, and director Stephen Laurie, as well as Castlehill Housing Association’s chief executive, David Lappin, to face the gruelling challenge.
They are packing in the miles in preparation for launch day on Monday, September 13 and are appealing for supporters to dig deep for the cause as they aim to raise at least £7,500.
The Archie Foundation has been fundraising in the Highlands for 10 years now and in that time has made some wonderful transformations. Archie raised £2m to create the new Highland Children's Unit at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, and continues to raise funds to support the patients, parents, and staff of this wonderful, world-class facility to ensure it is equipped with up-to-date facilities, family-friendly equipment, and cutting-edge technology.
Stuart and the Dynamic Edge team, who are based in Inverness and Aberdeen, have been staunch supporters of Archie, helping to raise funds over the years.
Stephen said: “We have all taken on charity challenges in the past, but this will be the toughest one yet for me, as we know how hilly and difficult the route will be. We’ve all been in training, and I think we are feeling really energised about it and can’t wait to get going. Raising funds for Archie is absolutely our priority, but there is also an element of personal achievement that is driving us too.”
The Archie Foundation is particularly close to Stephen and his wife Claire’s heart as their daughter Emma received excellent care and attention from staff at Raigmore Hospital’s children unit as a toddler. Seven years ago, at the age of three, Emma required urgent care and spent time in high dependency after being diagnosed with pneumonia. Further tests showed she had a rare strain of flu and Emma was treated in hospital for a week until her condition improved.
Stephen said: “The staff there were absolutely out of this world. The nurses in particular were not just dealing with a sick child, but they also knew exactly how to deal with a very worried and apprehensive parent. We will always be so grateful for the care we received at that difficult and stressful time.”
On subsequent visits to Raigmore in recent times, Stephen has seen first-hand the massive improvements in the children’s unit, funded by The Archie Foundation. He said: “To be able to see the incredible difference Archie has made to the unit and to see the impact Archie has had in supporting the great work of the NHS in the Highlands really is so heart-warming. That’s why we will continue to support Archie and everything they do.”
The team will tackle the NC500 from West to East, taking slight detours to the route to avoid the A9 for safety reasons. They intend reaching Shieldaig on Day 1 (107 miles); Ullapool by Day 2 (97 miles); Durness on Day 3 (103 miles); Helmsdale on Day 4 (98 miles); returning to Inverness by the end of Day 5 (95 miles). They will be donning Archie cycling shirts and providing news and live updates on social media as they go.
Rob Hamilton, Dynamic Edge chief executive officer, said he was proud of the team. He added: “Here at Dynamic Edge, we take great pride in our support of local causes, and we all hold The Archie Foundation in the highest regard. I wish the team all the best as they tackle the North Coast 500 and would urge everyone to dig deep to support this tremendous effort.”
Archie chief executive officer Paula Cormack said: “We can’t thank the Dynamic Edge team and their supporters enough for their magnificent and ongoing support of Archie. This is a massive challenge and we hope they manage to find time to enjoy the spectacular views around the NC500 as they raise vital funds for local children and their families. We look forward to charting the team’s progress and wish them well.”
To donate, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/de-nc500