Keith bike fan Lewis, 6, gears up for Breast Cancer Now
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A KEITH bike fanatic has cranked up nearly £4000 for a breast cancer charity in the space of a week.
Lewis Mackay – who is only six – has set himself a challenge to cycle 100 miles on his new bike throughout June to boost Breast Cancer Now.
His auntie, Trisha Davidson (48), is a well-known local fundraiser for the charity. Her annual strawberry tea at Netherton Farm, off the A96 on the outskirts of Keith, has become a popular draw with people from around the north-east over the past decade, amassing more than £27,000 for Breast Cancer Now.
This year, however, what would have been the 11th strawberry tea is off due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a substitute, Tricia is busy baking for a local strawberry tea delivery service, which started at the weekend and is already booked out for the month.
Lewis decided to hop on the saddle to help his aunt in her fundraising efforts.
His parents, Kyle and Lisa, of Fife Avenue, organised a crowdfunder page on JustGiving last Sunday, May 31, with an initial target of £250. Within days, however, they were all astounded to see the total hit more than 10 times the target. The total this morning stands at £3780.
Dad Kyle, who works for Diageo at Strathmill Distillery, said: "I think what Lewis is doing is an amazing gesture for someone so young.
"Lewis absolutely loves his bike. He came up with the idea and he's been out with me a lot during lockdown around Keith and Newmill.
"I try to keep the routes as flat as I can for him, which is a bit tricky around Keith.
"We set up the JustGiving page on Sunday – and it's been crazy. Every time we checked the total was getting higher and higher, and I thought 'surely this can't be right!'
"Friends and family have been donating and the people from my work have been amazing."
The normally one-day strawberry tea at Netherton was extended last year to two days, raising a fantastic £12,000. The event has come a long way since its first year held in the farm garage, raising £426.
Over the years as the event has grown, Tricia and husband Harold have acquired a marquee tent, tables and chairs, artificial grass and decorations.
The event is a family affair, with Harold and the couple's children, Tiegan and Brodie, all mucking in. Last year, Tricia's 80-year-old mum baked more than 1000 shortbread biscuits. Friends Jane Mackenzie, Katherine Stables and Mary Stewart are also part of the regular baking team.
Keith Tesco donates the strawberries each year, while Fochabers Ice Cream Parlour donates cream and milk.
Last year's total was boosted by a Fashion and Fizz evening running alongside the strawberry teas – which Tricia plans to run again in the 15th year of fundraising.
Tricia, who works part-time at Keith's Boogie Woogie, said: "We didn't want the charity to miss out after Covid-19 put the brakes on the event.
"I was gutted that we wouldn't be able to run it this year as I love doing the baking and decorating. I take great pleasure in seeing the cars come up the road and chatting to everyone. It's really nice meeting people and hearing their stories.
"But we came up with a way to still raise some money for the charity, even if it's just a little. I'm a bit limited this year though. Lewis stepped up to help and I am just fair proud of him – especially for all the size of him.
"He's a wee champ."
To donate to Lewis's fundraiser click here.
