7 May 2012

Maggie’s Monster Does it Again!

A huge thank you to the 564 people who raised money for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres last weekend by tackling the 73 mile Monster Bike and Hike from Fort William to Inverness. Everyone was rewarded for their hard work with a stunning day of snow flurries, spring sunshine and glorious views the length and breadth of Loch Ness. This year’s event is on track to raise £500,000 for Maggie’s!

304 participants walked through the night to finished the full 73 mile gold course from Fort William to Inverness. A further 243 completed the shorter bronze and silver routes, finishing in Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit. Event staff agreed this was the smoothest Maggies ever, with only around 100 people treated along the route for minor complaints (mainly blisters).

The 5,000 people who have taken part since the event started have raised over £3.6 million to help build and run Maggie’s cancer support centres across the UK. The £500,000 that we are hooping to raise from this event will cover the vital cost of 25,000 visits to Maggie’s centres across the UK,” commented Maggie’s event manager Georgina Bushell.

Many who take part in Maggies have in some way been touched by cancer. Mike Maule (aged 60) has cycled and walked the full 73 miles for Maggies ever since the event started in 2004. Two of the original members of his team, The Golden Boys, have since died of cancer. “I saw first hand what Maggies did for my friends,” commented Mike.

Mike finished this year with a very very time of 19.01 hours. “I love Maggies Bike and Hike because it is great fun, well organized and is about so much more than winning,” he added.

Maggie’s Monster Bike and Hike is one of eight fundraising challenges being held by WildFox Events this summer. Over £20 million has been raised by WildFox’s Events for good causes to date. “Our whole focus is on supporting great charities such as Maggie’s,” said WilldFox Director David Fox Pitt.

Unsung Heroes

The unsung heroes of the 2012 Maggie’s Monster Bike and Hike are without doubt the tea ladies of Invermoriston. Maggie’s just wouldn’t be the same without these purveyors of home baked cakes.

Ever since the event started in 2004 Cherry Duncan, Jean Curley and Betty Draper have organised a supreme display of baking at the bronze finish in the Invermoriston Village Hall.  A dedicated team of some 20 volunteers in the area, produce over 800 pieces of cake, together with sandwiches and soup (made by the gentlemen).

Weary participants arrive at Invermoriston to browse trestle tables crammed with a dazzling array of home made morsels. There is everything from cheesecake, carrot cakes, lemon drizzle and chocolate brownies, to muffins, pancakes and moist fruitcakes. “Every lady has their own secret recipe,” Cherry commented. “My specialty is mocha cake with a creamy centre and lashings of cranberry sauce.” It must look like a sticky oasis after 40 long miles of cycling and walking.

Of course there is sound medical reasoning for all this cake on an adventure challenge like Maggie’s. The participant have to keep their blood sugar levels up to keep going and help stave off dehydration. But the truth is that the cakes at Invermorriston are a big draw in themselves. “Some participants admit they sign up for Maggies for the home backing,” joked David Fox-Pitt.

Check out the photos from the event on flikr