Health & Social Care Moray is celebrating two local heroes who have raised an incredible £18,500 for older people who attend an Elgin day service.
Friends Graham Rattray and Peter Ross successfully completed a gruelling 24-hour motorbike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats on 5 June.
The duo were special guests of Moray Resource Centre (MRC) earlier this week where they were joined by their families to hand over the amazing donation to the clients’ comfort fund.
They were congratulated and thanked by people attending the centre, including Betty Rattray (81), Graham’s mum, along with members of the staff team and Councillor Tracy Colyer, chair of the Moray Integrated Joint Board which has responsibility for local health and social care services. Piper Kenzie Stephen (17) played for the event.
Graham, a funeral director from Lossiemouth, and Peter, a joiner who lives in Elgin, decided to ride their bikes the length of the UK to cross the epic challenge off their bucket list. They came up with the idea of also using their coast-to-coast journey as an opportunity to seek donations in support of the MRC clients’ comfort fund and initially set themselves the goal of raising £1,000.
Even before they and Ryan Rattray, who acted as support driver, set off, their initial target had been smashed. Donations from individuals, families and businesses kept pouring in, eventually topping £18,500.
Peter said: “We felt mentally prepared for the challenge but we couldn’t believe how cold it was. The miles flew in but we were riding through rain and hail and we were so glad when we stopped to refuel and could get inside for a bit of a heat.”
Graham added: “It was the support of everyone at MRC and the folk who had made donations which drove us on. We couldn’t believe the incredible generosity people have shown. It’s all for the good of the clients here. This is a fantastic facility.”
Becky Sharp, MRC day service coordinator, said the substantial donation will help to enhance the experiences of the people who are supported by the service. Graham, Peter and the clients have been coming up with ideas for using the fund to support a range of activities in the centre, in the community and for people at home.
“One of the things we’ve already talked about is a return visit from Therapy Ponies Scotland as everyone loved meeting the Shetland ponies. We also plan to continue to invite visitors to the service like choirs and entertainers and to buy lots of craft materials to use with the children who come to visit from local schools, “ Becky said.
“The fund will help provide more outings, which could be a bus run or out for coffee or lunch, and also support our Christmas market when we invite family and friends to join us for some festive fun. We’ve also spoken about the idea of putting together some activity bags for people to use at home on the days when they are not at the service.
“We’re very grateful to Graham and Peter for choosing to support the clients’ comfort fund and to everyone who donated so generously.”
