Sign up now for the Celtic Challenge

Register for next May’s St Columba’s Hospice charity cycle event

Team Scotland medal-winning cyclist Jenny Davis has launched a 200 mile charity bike ride that will take place in May 2016. The Celtic Challenge takes in some of Scotland’s most challenging and breath-taking scenery, with participants cycling from Edinburgh to the isle of Iona – and you can sign up now to secure a place.

The event is run for St Columba’s Hospice and raises money to provide specialist palliative care for people from Edinburgh and the Lothians. The charity also helps to develop palliative care practice across Scotland and internationally through its Centre for Education & Research.

The 200 mile route will be completed by participants in just four days, departing from the Hospice in Edinburgh on 11 May 2016.

Jenny said: “I am delighted to be here to help St Columba’s Hospice officially launch the Celtic Challenge 2016. The event is tough and I admire everyone who completes this cycle across Scotland. It will be incredibly rewarding for those who sign-up and take part, both from the sense of achievement of completing the Celtic Challenge, and also from raising vital funds for the Hospice.”

The route for the 2016 Celtic Challenge has been changed from previous events and now includes the iconic Rest & Be Thankful pass and the Arrochar Alps.

The route is: Edinburgh to Glasgow, north to Balloch, up the west coast of Loch Lomond, west over the top of Loch Fyne, north to Dalmally and west again to Oban. A short journey on the ferry takes participants to Mull, where the cycle the whole length of the island down to smaller ferry on to the isle of Iona.

Rona Thornton, a nurse at St Columba’s Hospice who completed the Celtic Challenge in May 2015, said: “I loved doing the last Celtic Challenge and I see it as a great honour to take part and raise money for the Hospice. I was inspired and encouraged by a patient at the Hospice to take on the challenge, and I am so pleased I did. It was an amazing experience! As a nurse I see first-hand how the Hospice’s care makes a difference to patients and their loved ones, and I would encourage anyone to sign-up and take on the Celtic Challenge. You won’t regret it!”

Registration is now open for the Celtic Challenge – sign-up online atwww.stcolumbashospice.org.uk/celticchallenge or call 0131 551 1381.