Page 32 - QARANC The Gazette Spring 2023

32 The Gazette QARANC Association
‘The speedometer pinged, and tears started flowing’
I left the Army in 2012 and returned to Cromarty on the Black Isle in the Highlands of Scotland. As a child I was used to bombing around the local village on whatever bike my brothers and I happened to have, or on an old mountain bike to get around camp when in the Army.
A work colleague mentioned that he was cycling 500 miles from Edinburgh to London over five days raising money for the Soldiers Sailors Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA). I thought he was mad! And then he suggested that I do it too.
Off I went to Halfords. I bought a bike and started training for the 500-mile ride – which I completed by cycling down through Marble Arch to be welcomed in by family and friends. Since buying my first road bike, I have bought three more and haven’t looked back.
The following year I was invited to join a team of 20 cyclists riding in aid of the Highland Hospice. We were to be called the ‘Everest Highlanders,’ as the total climb over five days equated to the height of Everest. We endured all sorts of weather and emotions but as a team we encouraged each other and raised over £200k.
The year after, just for fun, six of us cycled the North Coast 500.
In September 2021, I took part in a 500-mile ride over five days, taking in some of the toughest ascents in the Scottish mountains. It was raising money for Maggie’s Charity, which helps people living with or affected by cancer. I was never happier than to see my family and friends waiting to meet us back in Inverness. It was worth it though, as we raised over £400k!
Since leaving the Army I have been involved in all sorts of fundraisers from cycling to the Paris marathon and to dancing in ‘Strictly Inverness’ (my partner and I won the Friday night!) raising money for worthy causes.
For the last eight years I’ve chaired the Black Isle Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland. For the centenary of Poppy Scotland in 2021, SSI Flora Thomson, Detachment Commander 1 Highlanders Army Cadet Force, set herself the challenge to raise £1,921 by cycling 1,921 miles and finishing on the 11 November 2021.
Flora has been volunteering with the Army Cadets since 2004 and is an accomplished piper and completed her Drum Majors Course. Flora has been a local volunteer/collector for over 30 years for the Scottish Poppy Appeal. It’s been quite a year for Flora. She turned 60 and lost over two stone in weight during her endeavour.
As 11 November approached Flora was concerned that she might not achieve her target in miles or pounds. She had nothing to worry about. On the morning of the 11th, I met Flora and her granddaughters in the village, we cycled round then headed out on the north shore road – the aim was to hit the 1,921-mile target before our arrival at Newhall Mains.
I was never happier
than to see my family and friends waiting to meet us back in Inverness. It was worth it though, as we raised over £400k!
Newhall Mains is now a destination venue on the Black Isle, however it was the place that Flora had grown up as a child and is very special to her. The current owners kindly allowed us to complete the ride at Newhall Mains and to have a small remembrance service followed by a very nice buffet lunch. Cycling to the final destination the speedometer pinged to alert us that Flora had indeed hit her target of 1,921 miles. I had never seen Flora cry, but the tears were flowing, completely overwhelmed that she had achieved her goal.
We made a pit stop at a local primary school where the children were learning about Remembrance and the Scottish Poppy Appeal. As we approached Newhall Mains we could hear the bagpipes, we were all crying by then. A small group of family and friends were there waiting to cheer Flora home and it was an emotional and memorable event.
Flora raised £4,400 for Poppy Scotland, an outstanding amount and achievement. She has now bought another bike and is planning to take part in the Etape Loch Ness next year.
Fiona Grist Scottish Branch