More than 1,300 motorcyclists have raised more than £36,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity after taking part in a huge ride through Glasgow.
Bikers from across Scotland and other parts of the UK joined the annual Beatson Bikers event on Sunday (20 September), travelling on a 38-mile route from Bishopbriggs to the Beatson in Glasgow’s West End.
The event started at the Moulsdale Foundation’s Classic and Performance Car and Motorcycle Museum in Bishopbriggs for the first time before finishing at Beatson Cancer Charity at Gartnavel.
Former Grand Prix motorcycle racer and three-time British Superbike champion Niall Mackenzie was among those taking part.
The charity had hoped to attract more than 1,000 bikers this year, but the final turnout passed 1,300, making it one of Scotland’s largest gatherings of motorcyclists.
Mackenzie said it had been “brilliant to see so many riders come together” to raise money for people affected by cancer.
Before setting off, riders were given access to the Moulsdale Foundation Museum on Westerhill Road, which houses more than 400 classic and performance cars and motorcycles.
The collection includes racing machines connected to leading Scottish riders including Steve Hislop, Ian Simpson and Jim Moodie. The museum describes its collection as the largest of its kind in Scotland, with proceeds from its public open days supporting charitable causes.
The Beatson Bikers fundraising campaign had reached £36,282.90 through 29 individual fundraising pages at the latest count, with a further £6,929.25 recorded in Gift Aid. Donations remain open until 29 November.
David Moulsdale, founder of the Moulsdale Foundation and Optical Express, said hosting the start of the event for the first time had been a “privilege”. The Foundation and Optical Express sponsored this year’s event.
Money raised will support Beatson Cancer Charity’s services for people affected by cancer across the west of Scotland.
The charity provides wellbeing and practical support alongside funding specialist staff, research and education. Services include its Wellbeing Centre at the Beatson, complementary therapies, bereavement support and specialist help for people dealing with cancer and employment.
The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre serves a catchment of around 2.5 million people – approximately 60 per cent of Scotland’s population.
More than 8,000 new patients attend the Beatson each year, while the centre delivers more than 25,000 courses of chemotherapy and around 6,500 courses of radiotherapy annually.