On a mission to cycle 100 miles

The second part of an endurance event organised to raise money and awareness of the work of the Fishermen’s Mission is set to take place at the weekend, with a 100 mile cycle, the ‘Pentland Firth Cycle Challenge.’

Keen Fishermen’s Mission supporter Craig Taylor, from Kirkwall, along with Roy Norquoy, a Fishermen’s Mission Port Officer for Orkney, aim to cycle over 100 miles on Saturday.

Craig explained: “We are meeting at Kirkwall Harbour at 5.30am to then cycle to St Margaret’s Hope, to catch the 7.45am Pentland Ferries sailing to Gills Bay, cycle to John O’ Groats, then on to Wick. From there we plan to cycle to Scrabster, via Castletown, in time to catch the 7pm evening NorthLink ferry to Stromness, then cycle back to Kirkwall.”

He added: “The original route was going to be 75 miles, but we now hope to cycle to various other locations and landmarks in Caithness, taking the trip to 100 miles.”

Craig, an associate member of the Mission, said that the cycle follows a fundraising trek up Ben Nevis – the highest mountain in the UK – he carried out with family members two weeks ago.

He said that the charity events were finalised following two separate tragedies at sea earlier this year, in the Western Isles and off Orkney, which claimed the lives of four fishermen.

Craig explained that he was already planning on carrying out a fundraiser for the Mission sometime this summer when the tragedies occurred.
The tragic events galvanised the decision to do something worthwhile for the Fishermen’s Mission, and support the charity which does so much to support so many throughout the UK, often discreetly and behind the scenes.

He added that all involved thanked both ferry companies for providing complimentary travel for both events. He also said that all donations received so far were very much appreciated.

Donations to sponsored the events can be made online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Craig-Taylor-Orkney