Bike trek raises £10,917 for Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh
Iain Stephen Morrison
£10,917 has been donated to Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh as the result of a cross-island bike trek to raise funds in memory of the late Catriona MacRury.
Catriona, who was from Stoneybridge, South Uist, passed away after a short battle with a rare and rapid neurological disease, CJD, in September 2020. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law and auntie, and well known to generations of islanders who met her where she worked in the canteen at Sgoil Lionacleit.
Her family so valued the outstanding care Catriona received in her final days at Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh.
In order to mark the first anniversary of her death in September and show appreciation for the kindness of the team who looked after Catriona in the hospital, her brother, Eachann Nicolson, set out on a sponsored cycle from Inverness to Barra, then north the whole length of the Western Isles and back to Inverness.
Sister-in-law, Maree Nicolson, also biked from Barra to Ness, with Catriona’s husband, Murdo, providing support on the road across the Outer Hebrides. Numerous others joined Eachann and then himself and Maree along to 400 miles covered on the islands and to and from Inverness.
Initially, the aim of the journey was to raise £1500 to support the purchase of specialised beds for the dementia room in Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh. However, soon after launch, the online JustGiving page saw donations pouring in, meaning the initial target was completely surpassed, finally settling at £8495.
Supporters donated more than £2000 along the route, with the final total raised, when combined with the amount realised online, settling at an incredible £10,917.
Eachann, Maree and Murdo earlier this week (29th November 2021) presented a cheque (pictured above) for £10,917 to James MacKay, senior nurse at Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh.
“We did this as an act of appreciation for the team at Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh and all the kindness shown to Catriona,” said Eachann.
“We really want to thank everyone who joined the cycle on the mainland and across the islands, all the B&Bs where we stayed for their kindness and hospitality, and, in particular, all the people who donated to make up the amazing sum of £10,917.”
Catriona’s family have requested that the entire amount be retained and used to benefit patients at Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh.
“We are very grateful for this very kind donation,” commented James MacKay.
