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Moray man Jim cycles 681 miles for veteran's charity


By Alistair Whitfield

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A disabled former serviceman is on target to raise upwards of £1000 miles after cycling 681 miles for a cause very close to his heart.

Jim Legge has cycled 681 miles for the Erskine Veterans charity. Also pictured are Michael Jamieson (Erskine community fundraiser) and Keith Beaumont (Master of the Pitgavney Lodge). Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Jim Legge has cycled 681 miles for the Erskine Veterans charity. Also pictured are Michael Jamieson (Erskine community fundraiser) and Keith Beaumont (Master of the Pitgavney Lodge). Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

Jim Legge completed the daunting challenge on his e-bike to help Erskine, which is Scotland's largest veterans charity.

The 60-year-old, who served for a decade with the Royal Army Medical Corps, is a long-time member of the Knights Templar masonic order.

As such, the figure 681 has a special significance.

Firstly it's the number of Lodge Pitgaveny where Jim is a member.

Secondly, by coincidence, it's also the distance in miles between all six Knight Templar Preceptories – or meeting places – in the North of Scotland.

These are Lossiemouth, Inverness, Alness, Wick, Stornoway and Oban.

Jim, who lives in Elgin, said: "Having qualified for an early Covid jab I decided to do something about my health, despite the service-related disability in my left-knee.

"I therefore upgraded my bicycle to an e-bike through the cycle-to-work scheme.

"However, I knew I would fall at the first hurdle if I didn’t set myself a challenge.

"That's how the idea of this charity cycle was formulated."

Michael Jamieson, Erskine's community fundraiser for the North, was one of many who came along on Saturday for a cheque handover.

This took place beside the war memorial in Lossiemouth – the notional starting and ending point of Jim's challenge which he completed over the course of 20 weeks.

Michael said: "So very well done and congratulations to Jim for his fundraising endeavours."

Jim Legge with some of his many supporters. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Jim Legge with some of his many supporters. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

Jim's charity effort has currently raised £841 online, with more money already pledged or handed over in person.

Anybody wishing to donate can continue to do so via his JustGiving page HERE


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