800-mile RNLI cycle gets under way

In an event entitled “Two Brians, two bikes and lots of boats,” two Orkney cyclists began a marathon 800-mile cycle trip this morning, which – it is hoped – will also raise thousands of pounds for the RNLI.

In just 12 days, Brian Hughes, from Stenness, and Brian Ratter from Kirkwall, are taking on the challenge of cycling 800 miles around the Highlands and Islands, visiting 18 lifeboat stations along the way, to raise funds for the lifesaving charity through sponsorship.

Salmon farmer Brian Ratter, 27, and offshore worker Brian Hughes, 48, are keen cyclists, and have been carrying out training for the event in recent months. They are being accompanied on the trip by support vehicle driver, Harcus Hutchison.

The route, has been them set off from Kirkwall this morning for Longhope. They plan to return to Kirkwall later today, before catching the ferry to Shetland tonight, before then heading south to the Scottish Mainland.

They will then be heading west along the north coast, then down through the Western Isles and west coast, before heading north to Scrabster, then home to Orkney to join in with the St Ola Hotel RNLI fundraising day on June 20, when a host of fundraising events are also being planned at Kirkwall Harbour.

The 18 lifeboat stations they will visit are Kirkwall, Longhope and Stromness, Lerwick, Aith, Lochinver, Stornaway, Leverburgh, Portree, Kyle of Lochalsh, Mallaig, Tobermory, Oban, Drumnadrochit, North Kessock, Invergordon, Wick and Thurso.

Details and pictures of them setting off along with well-wishers outside the St Ola Hotel in Kirkwall this morning can be found on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/926929987339123/

Donations can be made online by visiting www.justgiving.com/B-HUGHES/