The opening of a new Fife landmark should be used to promote Scottish charities, a local MSP believes.
Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, has said that next year’s opening of the Queensferry Crossing should be used to highlight the work of good causes.
The call follows the success of the M74 Bike and Hike event that took place before the opening of the M74 extension in Glasgow in 2011, an event that attracted 20,000 participants before the route was opened to cars.
While participants could raise money for the charity of their choice, the event officially recognised eight main organisations including the Scottish Association for Mental Health, Macmillan Cancer Support and the British Heart Foundation.
Now the Scottish Labour MSP is calling for a similar event to mark the opening of the new bridge over the Firth of Forth, which is due to open in May.
Ms Baker said: “The Bike and Hike event was a great way to open the M74 extension and simultaneously raise awareness and money for charity.
“It would be fantastic if such an event could be arranged for the opening of the Queensferry Crossing.
“I have no doubt that Fifers would love the opportunity to be among the first to cross the bridge and take part in what could be a full day of fun stretching from one side of the Forth to the other.
“With great views of the rail and road bridge along with the coast of Fife, the opportunity for people to cross the bridge before it is open to cars should be fully considered.
“This would be a great initiative to raise money for local charities such as MND Scotland but also for the many local charities across Mid Scotland and Fife that do great work, day in day out.
“I hope that people across the region can get behind an event to mark the opening of the crossing and that the Scottish Government will make such an event a reality.”
The Queensferry Crossing was originally scheduled to open this month, but delays in construction work saw this pushed back six months, with adverse weather conditions blamed for the postponement.
In response to the question by Ms Baker, the Scottish Government confirmed that it was looking at a “full range of options” for the opening for the bridge.
