Amateur cyclists are to get on their bikes this summer and pedal through some of Scotland’s most epic scenery, raising money for four charities.
More than 50 people have already signed up for the 2026 bp Coast 2 Coast challenge, which is fundraising for The Archie Foundation, Instant Neighbour, Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust and Arbroath Football Club Community Trust.
This year’s cycle will start on the west coast in Ullapool, taking in Beauly and Elgin before arriving in Aberdeen, covering around 240 miles from June 4-7.
Now in its 17th year, the annual endurance challenge has raised more than £2.5million for good causes.
Every year, employees of bp North Sea vote for the charities which will benefit from the proceeds of the cycle. Their fundraising efforts are then match-funded by the bp Foundation.
Committee member Gary McIntosh, who is a Turnaround Operations specialist at bp, is a Coast 2 Coast veteran who has completed the ride five times.
He said the money raised would make an incredible difference to each of the charities.
“We are looking forward to a new route this year, starting on the beautiful west coast in Ullapool and then making our way to Beauly, through the Highlands and Moray Coast to Elgin and then through Aberdeenshire to the city of Aberdeen.
“Those of us who are fortunate enough to have done the Coast 2 Coast cycle previously can attest to how challenging it can be but knowing we are collectively raising money for four fantastic charities gives us the motivation to keep pushing through,” said Gary.
“We know each of the charities will put the funds raised to extremely good use, supporting children and families, tackling poverty and supporting local communities, and we are also grateful to the bp Foundation for matching what we raise to double the charitable donation.”
Paula Cormack, chief executive of The Archie Foundation, is a keen cyclist and will be taking on the Coast 2 Coast challenge.
The Archie Foundation has helped children and families across the north of Scotland for more than 25 years, funding specialist roles and projects at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and, more recently, at Highland Children’s Unit in Inverness, Tayside Children’s Hospital in Dundee and Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.
Paula said: “Archie is incredibly grateful to have been chosen as a beneficiary of Coast 2 Coast for another year and I can’t wait to get going on June 4! All the money we receive will be used to fund our work supporting babies, children and families during a hospital or neonatal unit stay or following a bereavement.
“Each of the charities does amazing work and the efforts of the cyclists will have a huge impact in their local communities.”
Aberdeen FC Community Trust was established in March 2014 with the vision “to provide support and opportunity to change lives for the better”. This award-winning charity focuses on inspiring and empowering, particularly the next generation, through education and positive destinations; football, health and wellbeing.
Arbroath FC Community Trust officially launched in 2020 and aims to improve the life chances of the people of Arbroath through the power of football. It runs projects which help to improve health, education, fitness and general wellbeing while promoting community spirit and inclusion of all.
Instant Neighbour has been supporting people in Aberdeen City and Shire for over 40 years, supporting people on low incomes to set up home, by providing access to low-cost reused furniture, white goods, clothing and bric a brac. As well as charity shops, it provides employability experiences and professional joinery services.
The Coast 2 Coast challenge is open to cyclists of all abilities, with individuals covering their own accommodation and food costs. Each cyclist has a fundraising target of £1,000 and the total fundraising is split between the four charities.
The group is mainly made up of bp employees as well as bp alumni, representatives from the chosen charities and local organisations, backed by a support team.