Over £35,000 raised following Braveheart dinner

A total of over £35,000 has been raised for the Braveheart Fund this year following Saturday's ninth annual dinner (November 5) in Kilmarnock.

Nearly 400 guests attended the event, along with Team Sky's Alex Dowsett, Ian Stannard and Russell Downing, Sean Kelly and Matt Stephens.

The Sky trio joined 500 riders for the traditional morning ride around Ayrshire, before all participants swapped their lycra for something more formal for the evening's festivities.

In the charity auction, Ron Keeble submitted the highest bid for a signed Sky jersey and gillet, while Dowsett took home a rainbow jersey signed by his future team-mate Mark Cavendish. Cavendish donated two prizes, which raised £4,800 for the fund.

Dowsett later presented junior sprint world champion John Paul with the Braveheart Cyclist of the Year award.

The evening also included a performance by 2008 X Factor contestant Laura White before ending with a disco.

The fund, which supports young Scottish cyclists, was set up in 2003 by Brian Smith and assisted 11 riders this year.  

500 take to the roads of Ayrshire

Russell Downing takes to the front

Some of the prizes on offer at the Braveheart Dinner

John Paul picks up the Braveheart Cyclist of the Year award from Alex Dowsett

Related links

2008: £40,000 raised at Braveheart Fund dinner