Management at Overgate, Dundee and Brooke Reid, mother of young Freya Skene, got on their bikes for a cycling fundraiser in Overgate as part of National Bike Week’s Centenary. Brooke’s charity Freya’s Wish was the beneficiary of donations from the public.
As a charity, Freya’s Wish supports families in need within the local community, to create memories with their children.
The Overgate team had originally planned to cycle 100 times around the shopping centre – the equivalent of 50 miles - on watt bikes provided by Pure Gym Dundee.
However, the motivation levels of the cycling novices were dramatically boosted when, after reading about their big-hearted effort in the Evening Telegraph, George Brown hand delivered a surprise donation on behalf of North End FC Social Club in Dundee – a staggering £400!
Commenting on the moment the supersized donation arrived, Karen Michie, Centre Supervisor of Overgate said:
“We were speechless, we genuinely could not believe it! The plan was to cycle 100 times around Overgate which, at 50 miles, was a challenge in itself. However, when George appeared and told us the value of the donation he was making on behalf of North End FC Social Club, we were completely blown away. At that point we decided to double our efforts and try to keep going and attempt to cycle 200 times around the centre.
“We managed to do it and cycled a total of 100 miles, but it was incredibly tough. We were exhausted. The response from the public, especially on a Monday morning, kept us going though. Every coin we heard dropping into the bucket motivated us to keep pedalling! Thank you so much to everyone who helped us raise a fantastic £650.”
Brooke Reid, Founder of Freya’s Wish added:
“When Karen shared the news about how Overgate’s management were undertaking this cycle to benefit the work of Freya’s Wish I was so touched; Freya loved being out on her little bike. I am definitely a cycling novice and there were points during the challenge when I was really struggling, but the public were so generous and that helped me to keep going. A huge thank you to everyone who donated, and especially to North End FC Social Club.”
