Cycling event raises £40,000 in six years for sensory charity

A Scottish charity that supports people with sensory loss is celebrating after a local cycling event raised £40,000 over six years.

The most recent Chapelton Bike Ride, organised by North East Sensory Services (NESS), took place on Sunday 25 September and saw nearly 100 participants taking part.

Two routes through the Aberdeenshire countryside, one 12 miles and one 46 miles, were available to participants.

The 2022 event raised £6500, bringing the total amount raised over the past six years to £40,000.

The money will go towards services that are provided by NESS, including social work, employment support, rehabilitation for visual impairment, support for young people, equipment to support daily living, British Sign Language services, and lipreading classes.

The event is sponsored by organisations including Places for People, Acumen Financial Planning, and the Apache Corporation.

The route was managed by volunteers from the local community.

Lynn Batham, community fundraising co-ordinator at NESS and organiser of the bike ride, said: “To have raised more than £40,000 in just six years is phenomenal and very much appreciated – it means so much for us as a charity.

“The money raised each year goes towards our Added Value Services, enabling NESS to help people with sensory loss face and overcome challenges to achieve as independent a life as possible and reduce social isolation.”

She added: “There is always a fantastic community atmosphere around the Chapelton Bike Ride, with lots of families gathering. NESS received a lot of support on the day and lots of happy people headed off with a prize from the tombola.”