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Harbours cycle in memory of Tender raises £8k for Caithness charities


By Ali Morrison

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Representatives of the 16 good causes at the handover event in the Seaforth Highlanders' Club in Wick, with charity cyclists Willie MacDonald (seated, centre) and Arthur Bruce (seated, centre right), back-up drivers Neil Pellow (seated, centre left) and Martin Gibson (seated, second from left), along with Donald (Tender) McWilliam's daughters Lynne Davidson (front left) and Lauren McWilliam (seated, far right). Picture: Ian McDonald
Representatives of the 16 good causes at the handover event in the Seaforth Highlanders' Club in Wick, with charity cyclists Willie MacDonald (seated, centre) and Arthur Bruce (seated, centre right), back-up drivers Neil Pellow (seated, centre left) and Martin Gibson (seated, second from left), along with Donald (Tender) McWilliam's daughters Lynne Davidson (front left) and Lauren McWilliam (seated, far right). Picture: Ian McDonald

A total of 16 Caithness good causes have benefited from a fundraising cycle completed by two local men in memory of their friend.

Willie MacDonald and Arthur Bruce, both of Wick, cycled 120 miles in September, raising £8000 as a tribute to Donald McWilliam, known as Tender, who died suddenly in May.

Over the years Arthur and Willie have undertaken numerous charity cycles for local groups, with Tender providing vital support as back-up driver. Up until this latest event they had raised approximately £18,000, with other cash for good causes coming from the trio's involvement in the Great Glencoe Challenge.

Tender (59), from Wick, a former fisherman who worked as transport manager for DSRL at Dounreay, had been at Sarclet loch participating in a Wick Model Yacht Club session when he collapsed. He had been a keen runner for several years, completing a number of 10Ks, half marathons and marathons, and had then taken up walking with Arthur and Willie.

Shocked and saddened at their friend's passing, Arthur and Willie decided to pull out all the stops to raise as much money as they could in his memory and completed the cycle from Wick, to Helmsdale Harbour, up to Scrabster Harbour and ending at Wick Harbour on September 25. Providing back-up on this occasion were Neil Pellow and Martin Gibson.

Willie and Arthur are delighted with the support they have received from friends, family and local businesses, including Dounreay Communities Fund, which donated £1000 to mark Tender's involvement with the group as a board member.

Arthur thanked everyone who donated to the cause. He said: "I was devastated to hear of Tender's passing. He was a great bloke who was popular with everyone, as the tremendous amount of donations show.

"We are delighted with the generosity of everyone who donated in memory of a very special person."

Willie, who was also Tender's brother-in-law, added: "It is a fitting tribute to Tender that so many have supported this cycle with donations collected in person or through our JustGiving page.

"This is an amazing amount of money to raise and it is an indication of how well-known and well-liked Tender was that we are able to help so many local good causes. He would have been chuffed."

Tender's older daughter Lynne Davidson expressed the family's thanks to all involved.

She said: "As a family we felt overwhelmed by the community's generosity in memory of our dad and in aid of Willie and Arthur's cycle.

"We know our dad would be beaming with pride and absolutely delighted with their efforts had he been here to support them."

The money was handed over at a special event at the Seaforth Highlanders' Club in Wick last Friday.

Receiving £500 each were Lybster Day Care Centre; Caithness Riding for the Disabled; Keiss Community Council; Watten School; Caithness Klics; Caithness Foodbank in Wick; The Haven, Wick; Wick Youth Club; the Healing Hub, Wick; Staxigoe Hall; Laurandy Centre, Wick; Caithness Rural Transport; Scottish SPCA Rescue and Rehoming Centre, Balmore; Caithness Health Action Team; Thurso Youth Darts Club; and Pulteney House, Wick.

One of the delighted recipients was Christine Gunn, of the Healing Hub at Wick's Braehead, which runs a hyperbaric chamber.

She said the cash will go towards a new compressor to replace the existing one installed in 1983.

Initially used to help people suffering from multiple sclerosis, the chamber is now used in the treatment of a number of conditions including long Covid.

She said of the donation: "It's amazing, this is the second time they've given us money. I don't think they realise just how much it means to us."

Grant Ramsay, chair of the local food bank, was "delighted with the generosity from these lads". The money, he said, "will go a long way in supporting the food bank".

Wendy Thain manages Caithness Klics, which supports young carers.

"Willie and Arthur are both amazing people who have been supportive of Klics for many years," she said.

"Arthur always donates to anything that we do. He has a heart of gold and we appreciate everything that he does for our young carers."

Also receiving cash was Staxigoe Hall. Committee chair Pat Ramsay explained that it is been a "tough time for Staxigoe Hall during Covid".

She added: "We are absolutely chuffed to receive such a generous donation which will support the activities in the village hall."

A prize of £100 was won by Alan Campbell who correctly guessed that the total cycling time was eight hours and 30 minutes.


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