Seventeen workers from the Dunfermline depot of gas distribution company SGN jumped on their bikes last week and cycled more than 1000 miles to raise vital funds for the company’s charity partner, Barnardo’s.

After setting off from SGN’s Dundee depot, the riders travelled 57 miles to their own depot in Dunfermline, stopping in Perth en route. The group were among 124 SGN employees across the UK who cycled a combined total of 8200 miles over five days, taking in most of the company’s UK depots and offices, from as far afield as Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis to Poole on the south coast.

In addition to money raised through sponsorship, some sites organised their own activities, including the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ for managers, a Name the Barnardo’s Bear competition, raffles, cake sales and other social events to welcome the riders home at the end of each day – all geared towards boosting funds even further.

SGN general manager Ian Carmichael was one of those from Dunfermline taking part. He said, “I’m a keen cyclist, so I was up for the challenge anyway, but the fact that we were doing it for such a worthwhile charity made it all the more rewarding. The sense of achievement when we reached Dunfermline on Thursday was amazing.” Rebecca Mitchell at Barnardo’s added, “We are committed to working with the most disadvantaged, vulnerable and neglected children in the UK. The staggering amount of money raised through the SGN Cycle Challenge will go directly to helping these children and our sincere thanks go to all who participated in or supported this event.”