A Mintlaw-based cycling club has raised more than £500 for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.
The organisation was chosen by members of the Buchan Dirlers Cycling Club as their charity of the year.
The organisation held a number of fundraising events to raise money and, this week, handed over a cheque for £520.
Launched in 2017, the club was originally a group of cycling enthusiasts, but quickly grew to more than 75 members.
The club now attracts cyclists from across the Buchan area to join their three group rides organised a week during warmer months and the weekly ride during the winter.
Mark Chapman, secretary of the club, said: “When we heard that fundraising had commenced to raise funds for a second air ambulance, our members had no hesitation in choosing to raise funds for this fabulous charity.”
The air ambulance can reach 90% of Scotland’s population within 25 minutes and aims to be airborne withing five minutes of an emergency call coming in.
Kate Loades, from Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance said: “Our air ambulance is funded by the people of Scotland, primarily through fund raising efforts and we are delighted the Buchan Dirlers chose to support our charity by raising more than £500.”
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance has made a huge impact since 2013, saving lives and preventing suffering.
That is why the P&J campaigned successfully for SCAA’s second helicopter to be based in our region.
The countdown is now on for the aircraft – call sign Helimed 79 – to start flying missions from Aberdeen Airport.
But this is an emergency service that relies entirely on donations.
Each call-out costs about £2,500 and SCAA needs P&J readers to help hit its £6million target and get things off to a successful start.
So please do anything you can to raise those funds and show that We’re Backing Helimed 79.
Ways to donate to SCAA
- Website: www.scaa.org.uk/donate
- Text: Text ‘SCAA’ and the amount to 70085
- Phone: 03001231111
- Cheques: Made payable to ‘SCAA’ or ‘Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance’ and sent to: Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA), The Control Tower, Perth Airport, Scone, PH2 6PL
