The pasta party on Friday night set the scene, with an emotional and soulful performance from the choir Sing In The City followed by moving and motivating speeches from Maggie’s Centre visitors Tanya Hay and Ian Gllon, both of whom were taking part in the event.

The atmosphere at the start was a mixture of nerves and excitement, as participants lined up at Neptunes Staircase in the shadow of Ben Nevis, with a bagpiper getting everyone in the mood before the countdown.

Ian Gillon (61) from Anstruther, who has undergone treatment for oesophageal cancer, was taking part with his son Raymond and friends Steven Webster and George Glen.

Ian said: ‘The support given from Maggie’s Centres has really helped me and my family through difficult times and Monster is our way of giving something back. I still don’t know how long I have got and I am just living from scan to scan. I have had an amazing weekend with my son and our friends, everyone has been supportive, staff have been brilliant and the scenery up here is second to none.’

Tanya Hay who finished her latest session of radiotherapy only 2-weeks before the event, was taking part with her husband Graeme and friends from work. Tanya said: ‘If I can do this, you all can too. Maggie’s has been a huge help to me and my family and I am delighted to be supporting them with so many of my fantastic friends and colleagues in this manner.’

Duncan Campbell from Edinburgh found out about the event as his Mum is visiting Maggie’s Edinburgh. Duncan said; ‘What an experience, the support from staff, volunteers and local’s has been first class, generating a really friendly atmosphere that helped us along. The scenery up here is stunning and I would encourage anyone up for a challenge and a fun weekend to sign up for 2012. You’ll be helping to make a difference to the lives of people living with cancer.’

Over 650 participants, including Monarch of the Glen star Alistair MacKenzie, took on the 30-mile bike ride from Fort William to Fort Augustus before deciding whether to hike 8-miles (bronze - Invermoriston), 22-miles (silver - Drumnadrochit) or 43-miles (gold - Inverness), with over 50% of participants making it all the way from Fort William to Inverness. Maggie’s hope to raise up to £500,000 from the event.

Alistair MacKenzie, who played Archie MacDonald in the hit series Monarch of the Glen, said: ‘I was invited by my good friend Robyn to take part in this event. I thought it was a great chance to give something back to Maggie’s, a charity that has really helped to support my friends as they deal with the effects of a diagnosis of cancer and the subsequent impact it had on their lives. Monster has been marvellous, great people, amazing scenery and a good challenge with distances for everyone. I’d encourage everyone to sign up for Monster in 2012.’

Maggie’s would like to thank everyone that took part or helped to make the event happen, with special thanks to SPAR (supplying the fantastic goodie bags and also taking part), Fleet Alliance (for supplying cars for Maggie’s staff and volunteers and for entering a team), Tiso and Alpine Bikes and Wildfox Events and Activities.
Registration is already open for the 2012 Monster Bike and Hike which will take place on May 5th and 6th and Maggie’s is offering a special registration fee of only £75 for the first 400 people to register, to find out more about the event visit www.maggiescentres.org/monster or call 0300 123 1801.


ENDS
For further information or interview opportunities please contact
Murray Easton on 07825 312 791

Notes to Editor:
• Over 5,000 people have taken part in Maggie’s Monster Bike and Hike to date, raising over £3.4 million to help Maggie’s to build and support centres across the UK
• Monster is a team event for friends, families or colleagues, with a fundraising target of £400 per person
• Maggie’s place a heavy emphasis on supporting participants in the lead up to the event, during and afterwards – mirroring the support we provide in our centres.
• Maggie’s provide a pasta party and safety briefing on Friday May 4th 2012. Tea coffee, water, fruit, soups, sandwiches and snacks are available at each checkpoint.
• Maggie’s model of support empowers people to live with, through and beyond cancer.
• Maggie’s Centres offer a programme of practical, emotional and psychological support to people with cancer, their families, friends and carers. Maggie’s is support is free of charge and operates on a drop-in basis.
• There are currently five existing centres in Scotland – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Inverness and Fife. With an interim service in Lanarkshire.
• New centres are planned for Lanarkshire and Aberdeen; funded by Colin Montgomerie through the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation, and a second centre in Glasgow next to the new Beatson Oncology Centre at Gartnavel.
• Maggie’s also has centres in London and Cheltenham, interim centres in Swansea and Oxford (with plans for purpose built centres) and plans to build centres in Nottingham and the North East (Newcastle).