A group of “informal” Dundee cyclists will cycle 900 feet up Cairngorm in fancy dress to raise money for a Broughty Ferry family’s charity appeal.
Mike Kelleher and Bill Green will set off with their team of 20 from the Ferry for the Tour De Grouse on May 21, hoping to give a boost to the RP Fighting Blindness charity’s coffers.
Mary Findlay and several members of her family, including her late father Dan Cassidy, suffer from retinitis pigmentosa and Mary and her family have been active supporters of the RP charity.
Mike (35), who lives with his wife Eleanor and their two young children in Balgillo Road, said he chose the RP charity as he was friends with Mary and her family.
He said, “It’s a 120-mile bike ride up around the Aviemore and Cairngorm area, finishing at the ski centre on Cairngorm. We do it every year and we’ve raised over £70,000 for various charities including the Maggie’s Centre.”
Mary said, “As a family we are so pleased that the Tour de Grouse team has chosen RP Fighting Blindness as their charity this year.More information is available at www.brps.org.uk.”Although retinitis pigmentosa is a major cause of blindness in the UK, there is not much awareness of this devastating disease or the RP charity in Scotland.
“This high-profile cycle race will raise awareness in the Highlands and hopefully will raise substantial funds for research.”
RP Fighting Blindness supports research into retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disease that is the biggest cause of inherited blindness in the UK, affecting around one in every 3000 people.
Mary’s mother Jessie, who lives in Nethybridge, said, “Dan loved this area and spent a very happy retirement in Nethybridge.
“He would be so pleased that the Tour De Grouse is taking place in this beautiful setting and that the funds raised will go towards research.”
Anyone who wishes to sponsor the cyclists can do so at www.justgiving.com/TDG7, or phone Mary Findlay on 01382 730590.