Bikers raise over £25,000 for NSPCC riding John o’ Groats to Land’s End

   ·              Motorcycle group ride south from John o’ Groats dressed as 1970s stunt legend Evel Knievel for charity

      ·              Welsh group travel through Inverness, Perth and Falkirk during Scottish leg of journey to Land’s End

      ·              The group has already raised £25,000 for NSPCC as part of epic journey

A group of about 40 Welsh motorcycling enthusiasts rode their bikes through Scotland to raise money for the NSPCC – dressed as the 1970s bike stunt legend Evel Knievel.

The Ride Cymru group spent two days (23 & 24 May) in Scotland as part of their wider journey from John o’ Groats to Land’s End using non-motorway roads.

The group, who have done several fundraising drives in Wales before, are no strangers to Scotland. In 2017, they raised £5,000 for the NSPCC by riding to the three mainland capitals – London, Cardiff and Edinburgh – in two days.

But this latest fundraiser has smashed that record and their Justgiving page has already reached nearly £24,000.

The Welsh bikers will be joined by Maurice McDonald-Smith, from East Kilbride. Or, as he likes to be called, the “Scottish Knievel”.

He said: “I consider it a privilege to be allowed into the family of the Cymru Knievel riders who come together each year to raise money to help the children of Scotland and the rest of the UK to enjoy a better childhood.

“Last year was my first time raising money for the NSPCC and everyone I met from the charity were the nicest and kindest people – I think their commitment and dedication to keeping children safe needs to be supported.

“This is where the drive to fundraise comes from. I have been fundraising for the last 10 years for charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Teenage Cancer Trust and more. The engagement by the NSPCC staff and volunteers last year made raising money for them the most rewarding.”

Fiona Milne, an NSPCC Fundraiser in the north of Scotland, said: “We are so incredibly excited to have the Cymru Knievels in Scotland to raise funds for the NSPCC.

“It truly was an epic journey and we really appreciate that they have chosen us as their charitable cause. The money they will raise will help us continue our vital work keeping children safe from abuse and neglect.”

To find out more about fundraising events with the charity, visit the NSPCC website. To donate to the Ride Cymru drive, visit their Justgiving site.