A STROKE survivor in Dunfermline rallied together a team of 10 cyclists to raise more than £5,000 for charity.

Scott Hutchinson suffered a stroke in 2017 and has since raised vital funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, which has supported him in his recovery.

The 48-year-old gathered a team named Scott’s Spokes Against Strokes, and they virtually took on Zwift’s toughest ride ranked by distance and climbing, the daunting 129km Uber Pretzel.

It took the team six hours to complete the challenge and together they raised £5,000. As previously reported by the Press, team captain Scott had a stroke while he was at work but, luckily, he was taken to hospital and seen by doctors quickly.

His colleagues saved his life by swiftly calling for help but his recovery was only just beginning.

Scott said: “I’d actually gone to the bathroom and washed my hands and went to reach for the paper towels to dry my hands and then realised that I couldn’t pick them up.

“The abiding memory of that moment was lying on the ground, shirt open, with the paramedics wires all over the place, looking up there was a circle of faces looking down and then it just started to darken and go away. I genuinely thought that was it.

“At that point all I could think about was Honor and Hope, my two daughters. Fortunately, I came back around, I got an MRI scan and the consultant confirmed I’d had an ischemic stroke (caused by a blockage in an artery that supplies blood to the brain).

“I craved information, about why it might’ve happened, what the future might hold. I knew of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland professionally and I’d actually done some fundraising for them previously.

“So that was one of the immediate places I went, and they just had rafts of information. The help, guidance and support they provide is a lifeline for recovery.”

Scott, treasurer of Dunfermline Cycling Club, was desperate to get back on his bike and now he is using his pedal passion to help other stroke survivors.

Of the challenge, he said: “Riding 128km in normal outside conditions is challenging enough, but to do it indoors on a turbo trainer is a different level.

“Hyrdation is incredibly important as you don’t get any benefit from outside air cooling. This route in particular is very challenging due to a huge climb after 116km, Alpe du Zwift, which is modelled on Alpe du Huez in France.

“It’s a solid hour of climbing, the legs were definitely screaming by that point! I’m absolutely blown away by the efforts of the team, every single person put their heart and soul into both completing the ride and raising as much as they could in doing so.

“Every team member encouraged and supported each other, particularly important when you’re tiring and the head starts to dip.

“Huge thanks also to members of Dunfermline Cycling Club whose members joined us to provide support on the ride and to those who contributed to the campaign!”

Oliver Middleton, of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “We are delighted that Scott and the team took on this epic challenge to raise vital funds to help stroke survivors rebuild their lives. Scott is an inspiration; he’s using his love of cycling to help other people affected by stroke in Scotland.

“The whole team should be really proud and we’re grateful to have been a part of team Scott’s Spokes Against Strokes!”