A BIG-HEARTED cyclist from the Isle of Bute has raised more than £1,600 for a men’s mental health charity after completing a gruelling 1,000-mile challenge in just 10 days.
Victoria O’Riley took on the challenge to support MANUP?, a UK-based organisation that tackles the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and offers free online counselling sessions.
Victoria, who lives on the island and is a member of the Bute Wheelers cycling club, said the cause is deeply personal.
She said: “I wanted to raise money for men’s mental health for men’s mental health – it’s a cause close to my heart after a friend of mine ended his life last year.
“So many men struggle with their mental health and feel they can’t speak about it.
“They’re never encouraged to talk about how they feel, and that needs to change.”
Originally planning to complete the challenge in just seven days, Victoria decided ten was more realistic — averaging a still- impressive 100 miles per day.
She set off on July 5, with her first ride taking her off the island and over to Sandbank, along Loch Eck and through Strachur, before looping back to Bute.
Victoria added: “I wanted to mix it up with rides on and off the island to keep it interesting, but the hardest part was always getting back to Bute and having to ride past my own house to get the miles in.”
Despite some rainy days and tired evenings, Victoria never missed a ride — even setting off as early as 5am: “I never struggled to get out the door each day.
“What kept me going was the thought of those who are suffering with mental illness.
“What I was doing felt insignificant compared to what they live with every day.”
Several of her rides were made easier with the company of fellow Bute Wheelers, and each day’s route was logged on Strava.
Thanks to consistently overshooting her mileage targets, Victoria only had 86 miles left to cover on her final day.
By the end of the challenge she had raised £1,624 for MANUP?, including £326.25 in Gift Aid, smashing her original £1,000 target.
On the donations, she commented: “I was so moved by how the donations kept coming in.
“Everyone I spoke to had a story to share about men’s mental health and how important it is that we talk about it more openly.”
Victoria is now back in the saddle, this time tackling mountain passes in the French Alps — including the iconic Alpe d’Huez.
She added: “I just love cycling and everything it’s given to me.
“I wanted to share my passion and use it to give something back.” Donations can still be given via her JustGiving page: justgiving.
com/page/victoria-oreilly-3
