EVERY PARTICIPANT IN the thousands taking part in the gruelling 66-mile Etape Loch Ness tomorrow has a story tell.
Only one, however, is a Scottish Government cabinet minister who also happens to have been training for the event in the midst of a Parliamentary Election!
Weeks of campaigning to retain his Holyrood seat will come to a conclusion on May 5 – but the hard work on his bike will bear fruit for Richard Lochhead when he crosses the finishing line and collects on the £7000+ in pledges he has gathered so far for Macmillan Cancer Support.
“I’ll be joining thousands of others to take part in the Loch Ness Etape on Sunday and taking in 66 miles of magnificent scenery and Highland fresh air,” Richard said, adding: “At the same time, along with many others, I’m raising sponsorship for Macmillan Cancer and I’m overwhelmed that, due to the generosity of so many people, I have raised over £7000 so far.”
Richard pledged to raise all he can as his way of saying thank you for the support the charity has provided to his family as his wife, Fiona, battles through breast cancer.
He said: “I know from the support my wife has received from Macmillan Cancer Support in recent months, as well as other organisations, just how important a role they play in helping people during some of the most challenging times in their lives.
“I’ve been doing my best to grab a few hours here and there out of the election campaign to train. I haven’t felt as fit for a long time which is a big bonus that has made me realise that this can’t be a one off and I need to keep up the cycling.
“Of course I have never worn as much Lycra as I have in recent months!”
Macmillan is the official charity partner of the Etape Loch Ness 2016 – there is still time to support Mr Lochhead’s efforts by going to his fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/richard-lochhead.