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Once again the members of the Rotary Club of Aberdeen Bon Accord got on their bikes to raise money for two local charities.

The Seventh annual bike ride took place on Sunday, May 15 following now established routes starting and ending at Hazlehead Park.

More than 100 people participated and more than £1000 was collected on the day. This included a sum of 151.47 raised by two Banchory school girls who had encouraged their class mates to sponsor them.

A number of younger riders, including some under ten years of age. improved on their previous times, completing the 22 mile route through picturesque Deeside passing through Garlogie and Peterculter, in well under 4 hours.

Others enjoyed the shorter but equally scenic route of 7 miles close to Hazlehead Park boundaries around Cults. The first rider made it home in around 43 minutes.

Since the first sponsored bike ride in 2005, The Rotary Club of Aberdeen Bon Accord have now raised around £25000.

The local charities who will benefit this year are The Foyer and Befriend a Child, reflecting the clubs interest in young people in the Aberdeen area.

The Aberdeen Foyer works towards preventing and alleviating youth homelessness and unemployment and Befriend a Child provides a befriending service for deprived and vulnerable children in Aberdeen.

Club president David Lane recognised that economic conditions were difficult and that voluntary contributions were therefore even more important. He echoed the message of previous presidents “It is fantastic to raise monies for two worthwhile Aberdeen charities as well as the wider community through our Rotary involvement and to have fun in the process whilst organising what has become a family day out”

The 2010 event held on 16th May again supported The Foyer but also introduced Befriend a Child as a joint beneficiary in addition to Rotary Foundation. As well as engaging a number of past participants the event again attracted many new recruits of all ages who completed the established 7 and 22 miles routes. The Club’s own president that year Willie Skene completed the 22 mile route personally and was joined by JCIA (Junior Chamber International Aberdeen) President Arlene Smith.

The youngest participant from Bridge of Don pedalled her way through a new 1 mile route within the park as her father made his way round the main route. The youngest person to complete the longer 22 mile route (7 years old) took just over four hours.

SUE BRUCE CHIEF EXECUTIVE of Aberdeen City Council launched the Bon Accord Bike Run in Aberdeen on Thursday 2nd April 2009 at The Foyer in Aberdeen, recognising the support that the Foyer provides to young people who are at risk of homelessness and unemployment in the area.

The 2009 event held on 17th May attracted a number of past participants and many first time entrants including a number of family groups. Young riders from 6 upwards participated along with parents in the event many adopting the 7 mile route. At least one 8 year old completed the 22 mile route finishing before some adult riders. The event attracted well over a hundred entrants and despite the ecomonic downturn thousands were raised for division between Aberdeen Foyer and Rotary International.

The 2008 Bike Ride launched by Kate Synott of UCAN and took place on Sunday 18th May 2008. A total of over £3,700 was raised by sponsors and participants with the funds going to support UCAN and the Rotary Foundation.

The 2007 event was a great success raising over £6000 launched with the assistance of AFC and benefiting nominated charity Project Scotland and the Rotary Foundation.

Launched by former Big Brother winner Cameron Stout and Christine Brown, then Miss Aberdeen, with the bike ride taking place on Sunday May 28th raising money for Cash for Kids - in its 10th anniversary year, and giving grants to local groups which work with disabled and disadvantaged children. The event will also benefit Rotary International projects.

The inaugural Bon Accord Bike Ride launched on Rotary Internationals centenary day and taking place on the 29th May 2005 was extremely successful attracting over 60 participants and raised over £4000 for the nominated charities Aberdeen Safer Community Trust and Anthony Nolan Trust as well as Rotary International.

TRANSPORT MINISTER CONGRATULATES THE ROTARY CLUB OF ABERDEEN BON ACCORD ON INAUGURAL CHARITY BIKE RIDE - LAUNCHED TO COINCIDE WITH ROTARY CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS.