As a team of cyclists prepare to set off on an epic coast to coast fundraiser, an Aberdeenshire dad is setting himself an extra challenge - to cycle 150 miles to the start line.
Craig Allinson is taking part in the 2026 bp Coast 2 Coast (C2C) cycle to raise money to support other parents after his twins were born 10 weeks prematurely.
Not content with covering 240 miles from Ullapool to Aberdeen, Craig will pedal from his home near Alford today (Thursday) before joining the rest of the 50 riders and support crew.
He aims to raise at least £1,000 for The Archie Foundation, which supports babies, children and their families in the north of Scotland during a hospital stay or bereavement.
Craig and his wife Emma spent many weeks in hospital after becoming parents to Jessica and Luke in May 2010.
Craig Allinson and family
Following complications with Emma’s pregnancy, the twins were born at 30 weeks, with Jessica weighing in at 3lb and Luke at just 2lb 3oz.
“The twins were born in hospital in Guildford but were transferred to a hospital in Chertsey, Surrey for specialist neonatal care, as Luke had a pneumothorax and Jessica suffered a brain haemorrhage and sepsis,” said Craig. “It was such a stressful and challenging 10 weeks while they were in hospital and I was juggling work with going to the hospital in the mornings and in the evenings.
“This experience gave us a real insight into the incredible work charities like The Archie Foundation do to provide facilities and support for parents.
“If we’d had access to somewhere to cook a meal, a place to sit for a coffee for half an hour and somewhere to stay at the weekend, it would have made life so much easier. Being able to raise money to help other people is a way of giving back.”
Craig and Emma with twins
Offshore wind surveyor Craig, who now works for Jera Nex bp, has taken part in previous C2C rides – but usually takes the bus to the starting point!
He will leave home and travel through Strathdon, over the Lecht and through Tomintoul, Grantown on Spey and Inverness en route to the west coast.
“This year, six of us thought it would be good to cycle out to Ullapool ahead of the start. I have been training every weekend as it will take around 11 hours of cycling, with some breaks,” he said.
“I have done the C2C before and it’s a great experience, I love the event. The camaraderie and the cycling are superb. We have raised more than £2.5million over the years and it makes a genuine difference to these local charities, who make a real impact in their communities.”
Luke and Jessica are now aged 16 and have no lasting effects from their difficult start in life.
Along with little sister Rosie, who is 12, they will be waving their dad off.
Employees of bp North Sea vote for the charities which will benefit from the proceeds of the C2C cycle. Their fundraising efforts are then match-funded by the bp Foundation.
Baby Luke Allinson
The C2C challenge runs from June 4-7, raising money for four charities - Instant Neighbour, Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust and Arbroath Football Club Community Trust, as well as The Archie Foundation.
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, Tayside Children’s Hospital and Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin.
Chief executive Paula Cormack, who is also taking part in the cycle challenge, said: “We are extremely grateful to Craig and all the other riders who are raising money for Archie. His personal experience of being a parent with premature babies in hospital underlines the importance of being able to provide accommodation and facilities for mums and dads while their little one is undergoing treatment. We are there to make the difference at a difficult time.
“I am looking forward to joining Craig and his colleagues on the C2C cycle, but I will definitely be opting for the bus to Ullapool!”
To sponsor one of the four Coast 2 Coast charities, you can select your preferred cause and click the link below: