RSE is proud to announce that charity partner, Heather’s Heroes, has reached an incredible fundraising milestone, with a combined total of £350,000 raised across our latest campaign trio, including the North Coast 500 Cycle Challenge, Trac-Tour de North Challenge, and the Highlands Fun Day.
The headline event, the NC500 Cycle Challenge, saw the core team conquer a total of 520 miles and ascend an astonishing 34,144 feet over five demanding days of endurance road cycling between the 23rd-27th of September. The journey tested both the physical stamina and mental strength of the eight core team riders, including John Valentine, Ryan Magennis, Jack Weatherall, Jamie MacLennan, Adam MacLeay, Craig Batchelor, Ross King, and Kyle Gordon, who shared varied cycling experience prior to taking on the challenge.
However, testament to the core team’s intense training regimes and the Heather’s Heroes support team’s meticulous event planning, the riders safely completed the NC500 through unwavering resilience, teamwork, and determination. By pushing through daily pain barriers and mental blocks, and by continuously keeping the legs turning, the core team managed to raise an extraordinary £2.42 for every pedal stroke, bringing in a total of over £250,000 from the NC500 Cycle Challenge alone.
This achievement stands not only as a credit to the strength of the core riders but also to the many people who stood, and pedalled, alongside them. The courage, camaraderie, and community spirit that powered this challenge embody everything Heather’s Heroes stands for and aims to achieve through its fundraising events.
John Valentine, NC500 Core Team Rider and Heather’s Heroes Board Trustee
The success of the NC500 cycle event was made possible by the corporate teams who joined the riders along the route, lifting spirits, and helping to spur the team toward the finish line, and to the incredible volunteers and support teams whose tireless efforts behind the scenes made the event possible.
Gratitude also goes to the generous support of our corporate sponsors, who played a key role in supporting the planning, trial days, and execution of the challenge. Their commitment ensured that the Heather’s Heroes team could deliver the NC500 event at scale and with safety, professionalism, and heart.
Simultaneous to the NC500 Cycle, RSE’s Allan Dallas set out on an extraordinary ‘Trac-tour de North’ Challenge, to complete the entire NC500 route behind the wheel of his purple John Deere tractor in support of Heather’s Heroes. Allan spent five gruelling nights through dark and winding roads, unpredictable Highland weather, and countless hours of solitude driving at a steady 13.7mph, to contribute towards the cause. Allan’s now-iconic purple Heather’s Heroes tractor which raised over £16,000 is a reminder of his heartfelt mission and symbol of the charity’s spirit.
Both the NC500 Cycle and Trac-tour de North challenges came to a triumphant conclusion at the Heather’s Heroes Highlands Fun Day at the Black Isle Showground on Saturday 27th of September, where the core cycle team led by Allan arrived to applause from the crowd and a well-deserved celebration at the event.
The Highlands Fun Day was packed with fun-filled entertainment for everyone to enjoy and mark the occasion, with interactive activities and inflatables, live music, local craft and food stalls, raffle and auction, and delicious food and drink from Bubble & Goose.
Thanks to everyone who supported the fundraising challenges and joined in on the Fun Day celebrations, an outstanding grand total of £350,000 was raised for Heather’s Heroes.
Since its founding in November 2024 in memory of Heather Dallas, Heather’s Heroes has raised an unbelievable grand total of £445,000 to benefit a network of 15 charities to date, including Highland Hospice, Maggie’s, Mikeysline, HALO, and Kayleigh’s Wee Stars.
The scale and impact of the charity has far exceeded our expectations within its first year. I’m incredibly proud of Heather’s Heroes as it continues to gain momentum in its mission of match funding and donating to incredible local causes that make a real difference to those who need it most. As we continue to grow, we’re seeking more volunteers to help propel our fundraising endeavours, host amazing events, and spread awareness of the cause across communities.
Allan Dallas Jnr, Heather’s Heroes Board Trustee, commented on the charity’s success since launching.
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