Stagecoach backs Perthshire community fundraising challenge with free travel support

• Stagecoach provides free bus travel for Race Around Scotland fundraising event
• Challenge raises almost £10,000 for Madoch Community Transport’s vital lifeline service
• Six teams travelled 430 miles, completing checkpoints and tasks with hundreds following their journey online

Stagecoach, the UK’s leading bus operator, has helped power a unique fundraising challenge in Perthshire by providing free bus travel for competitors in Race Around Scotland, an event inspired by the TV series Race Across the World.

The event raised almost £10,000 to sustain Madoch Community Transport, a vital service operated from the Madoch Centre that supports vulnerable people by providing volunteer-led transport to essential medical appointments and support groups.

Six teams set off at 3.30pm on Friday 19 September, travelling 430 miles by public transport through the night and into the early hours of Sunday morning. Without sleep, the competitors visited projects across Scotland, completing checkpoints and lending a helping hand along the way, before returning to Perthshire by 4pm on Sunday 21 September.

The participants included: Richard Lapslie, Anna Lygate, Jonathon Parkyn, Jack Wilkie, Patricia McFadyen, Brian Forbes, Kath Williamson, Colin Leese, Alison Lapslie, Ruth Johnson, Craig Paterson and Andy Jackson

The effort captured the imagination of the local community and beyond, with hundreds of people following the teams’ exploits on social media. Local businesses sponsored the teams, donated prizes, and volunteers rallied to make the event a real community showcase.

Anthea Bircham, Community Development Coordinator at the Madoch Centre, said:
“The support for Race Around Scotland has been incredible: from local businesses generously sponsoring teams to volunteers providing baking and manning checkpoints, artists designing the trophy and team t-shirts. It’s a real team effort and just shows how much our community cares about those who can’t get themselves to appointments and how much they value the drivers who give up their time.”

David Frenz, Interim Managing Director for Stagecoach East Scotland, said:
“Race Around Scotland is a fantastic example of communities coming together to support those who need it most. We’re proud to do our bit by helping the participants travel around Scotland, and for your charity effort, we’ve got you.”

Background

• Donations can still be made to reach the £10,000 fundraising milestone: https://donate.mydona.com/st-madoes-and-kinfauns-church

Madoch Community Transport provides volunteer-led transport for people in rural Perthshire who would otherwise struggle to attend medical appointments, support groups and essential activities.

Pictured (left to right): Colin Leese, Alison Lapslie, Richard Lapslie, Ruth Johnson, Craig Paterson, Kath Williamson, Patricia McFadyen, Jonathon Parkyn.

For more information please contact:

Andrew Sleight

Regional PR & Communications Manager (Scotland, Cumbria and North Lancashire)

M: 07345445489