Pedal power in aid of the RNLI

In an event which has been titled: “Two Brians, two bikes and lots of boats,” two keen Orkney cyclists are set to take on a marathon 800 mile cycling event which – it is hoped – will also raise thousands of pounds for the RNLI.

In just 12 days in June, Brian Hughes who lives in 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 Brain Hughes, 48,  enjoy cycling, and are currently in training for the event, and plan to rack up even more miles when the lighter nights come in when the clocks change next month. They will be accompanied on the trip by ‘man in a van’ Harcus Hutchison.

The route, which will see them set off from Kirkwall Lifeboat Station on Tuesday, June 9, will take them north to Shetland, and then back down to the Scottish mainland.

They will 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 bi-annual RNLI fundraising day on June 20.

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.

They are also looking for corporate sponsorship to help with the expenses involved in the trip, and have already had support from Calmac and NorthLink Ferries, The Brig Larder, Green Marine, the St Ola Hotel and Scottish Sea Farms.

Details 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/