The JFS 140 for MFR Cash for Kids
We did it!
On Saturday 1st June, a team of nine of us from John Fraser and Son cycled 140 miles of the most beautiful scenery in the Highlands, raising £1,900 for MFR Cash for Kids.
We couldn’t have chosen a better day of it. With warm sunshine from the time of our 6am departure from Chapel Street, and only very light winds hampering our progress, we made it round our chosen route much faster than we had expected to, arriving at the finishing line of North Kessock around 4pm.
We did it to mark the 140th anniversary of our family business serving our local Highland communities, hence the distance of 140 miles.
Talking about the inspiration for the day, Vicki explained, “For four generations my family have looked after families from across the Highlands, particularly in the Inverness and Ross-shire areas. We wanted to mark this significant 140-year milestone by doing something to give back to a charity that supports local children.”
“We know from our work supporting MFR Cash for Kids with their ‘Mission Christmas’ Appeal, just how much work they do for children in our communities who are disadvantaged, live in poverty, or live with disabilities. They give this support all year round, and the donations that they make truly do have a positive impact on young lives.
“We asked our team to vote on which charity they’d like to support, and their decision was almost unanimous. I really hope that the money we have raised will help to bring a smile or two to young faces.”
The route took the intrepid cyclists – some of them regular bikers, others strangers to travel on two wheels – across some of the most beautiful (and hilly!) parts of the Highlands. Although we often drive these roads when we’re visiting clients, conducting funerals, or erecting memorials, it was amazing to be out and about simply enjoying what’s on our doorstep.
Our route took us to north and west, through Garve and Achnasheen, Kinlochewe and Torridon, round to Lochcarron, and home to North Kessock. Vicki and Drew’s wife Bev even came across a friendly stag by the roadside near Torridon. They said his name was Callum, but we can’t be certain.
The 140-mile route included over 5,500 feet of climbing (Ben Nevis is only 4,400 feet!) and took the team just under 10 hours.
Crossing the finishing line, Vicki said, “I have just one word to sum up today– “ecstatic”! The donations have been pouring in all day through our JustGiving page, and although it was tough at times, seeing the donations coming in kept us turning the pedals.”
“We are a close-knit team at John Fraser and Son, but bringing the team and some of their partners together for a fantastic day like today has brought us even closer together.
She continued, “Our main aim was to fundraise for charity, but strengthening the bond between us has been the icing on the cake.”
Thank you so much to everyone who donated, whether at our recent coffee morning, or online. Every penny is so appreciated.