Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy will take to the stage in a star-studded bash on October 8 in aid of a Fife charity.
Edinburgh-born Chris, 43, will be the main attraction at Dunfermline’s Alhambra for the event, which aims to raise a huge sum for the Craw’s Nest Trust, better known to many as the East Neuk Wheelchair Appeal.
The charity, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, has already raised more than £600,000 to buy powered wheelchairs, scooters, recliners and manual chairs for 180 people with mobility needs.
Sir Chris will talk about his remarkable sporting career, which saw him crowned world cycling champion six times and deliver no fewer than seven Olympic Games medals – six of them gold – to make him the second most decorated cyclist in Olympic history.
He retired in 2013 and switched his attention to motorsport and published two children’s books while also becoming an ambassador for Unicef.
Sir Chris will be joined on stage by Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman, whose family is behind the fundraising appeal.
Other guests include Greg McHugh, best known as Gary Tank Commander from the BBC series and broadcaster Grant Stott.
Launched in 1989, the Craw’s Nest Trust was originally based at the Craw’s Nest Hotel in Anstruther, run by the Bowman family.
It has grown from running raffles and selling bars of tablet to bringing some of the biggest names in UK sport to major fundraising dinners.
Edith’s mum Eleanor Bowman told The Courier Sir Chris and Edith had worked together in the past and the cyclist had offered to “do a show” for the charity any time.
“It’s a big year, being our 30th anniversary and we think Chris will be absolutely fantastic,” said Eleanor.
“He’s sure to have some great stories to tell and we’re also really excited about having Greg McHugh and Grant Stott on board.”
Eleanor said she hopes events hosted in 2019 will raise £30,000 for the charity.
Auction items over the years have ranged from a meet and greet with Mumford and Sons, a signed drum skin from Coldplay, a signed guitar from Snow Patrol and Sir Paul McCartney’s mandolin.
One of the charity’s biggest supporters is Sir Alex Ferguson, who has helped secure speakers for the dinner and donated numerous Manchester United items for auction, as well as allowing himself to be interrogated for the charity’s 25th anniversary gala dinner.
For tickets to the event on Tuesday, October 8, see ticketmaster.co.uk
