Outfit Moray supporters, including four-year-old Archie Jess, smash charity's winter challenge
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OUTFIT Moray supporters have completed the charity’s second annual winter challenge in style, covering more than 4700 miles and raising just shy of £2000.
The Lossiemouth-based outdoor learning and adventure charity created the winter challenge – which sees participants cover the equivalent of the Moray Way, NE350 or NC500 – to help people shake off their January blues.
The youngest participant this year was four-year-old Archie Jess, who cycled 96 miles in January, despite only learning to cycle very recently.
Archie’s mum Leanne said: “Archie had been able to combine being outdoors on his bike with raising money for an amazing local charity.
"He has been on lots of family cycle rides, but the challenge has also brought cycling into his everyday life as he was cycling to nursery and his activity clubs.
"The challenge has given Archie the confidence to give up his balance bike and he is now pedalling independently on his big bike, which he wants to take everywhere now because 'the car is boring'!"
Archie cycled his miles all over Moray. Leanne added: "It's made him happy and put a happy smile on his face."
While Archie was the youngest participant to help raise £1990 for Outfit Moray, regular cyclist Irene Melrose (79) was the oldest.
She clocked up more than 12,000 miles on her bike in 2021, and pedalled a total of 653 miles in January.
Outfit Moray CEO Tony Brown said: “As a result of the pandemic and lockdowns, more and more young people are facing challenges with mental health and we are facing increasing demand for our services from local schools and youth charities.
"Fundraising events like this bring in the vital funds we need to enable us to continue being able to support young people in Moray, particularly those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.
"Archie and the rest of the Winter Challenge participants did an amazing job and we are so grateful to them for their efforts and support.”
Fundraiser Karen Cox added: “We have places in several challenge events throughout the year, such as 10 Under The Ben, Ride the North, Loch Ness 24, Beast Race, Baxter's Festival of Running or the Kiltwalk, as well as our very own challenges, Cairngorm to Coast in May and the Summer Challenge in July.
"If anyone would like to take part in any of them, please give me a call. We’ll give you an Outfit Moray goody bag, t-shirt and bottle of delicious Windswept Brewing’s Lighthouse to say thank you for your efforts."
Karen Cox can be contacted on 01343 549571.
