Our Fun(d)raising Cycle to Loch Lomond
The kids set off from the Heart of Scotstoun.. supported by their (slightly) old folks!
What did we do?
On a blustery, damp June morning, our adventure began at the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre. Children aged 6–12 and parents — all members of the We Are Wonder community — gathered with their bikes, ready to take on the challenge of cycling to Loch Lomond. Thanks to the generosity of family and friends, the group set off together on a sponsored fundraising journey.
Our route took us west out of Glasgow along cycle paths towards Clydebank, where we joined the Forth & Clyde Canal. Along the way, we spotted swans nesting by the water, and I was lucky enough to catch a fleeting glimpse of a brilliant blue kingfisher in flight.
We enjoyed a well-deserved break at Bowling, where the canal meets the Firth of Clyde. The children played, everyone refuelled with snacks, and for a brief moment, the sun peeked out from behind the clouds. Feeling refreshed, we continued towards Dumbarton, enjoying chats, friendly races, and wildlife spotting along the way.
The youngest member of the group, Ivor, aged 6, shared that his favourite sightings included swallows, blue tits, and a mystery bird with yellow markings — perhaps a siskin or a goldfinch. He also loved chatting with fellow cyclists and racing to catch up with — and overtake — the older kids along the towpath.
Beyond Dumbarton, the scenery became more rural as we followed the River Leven. One memorable stretch took us through a field of cows, which Ivor described as "stinky." Future cyclists should take note: according to Ivor, the cows even tried to headbutt him off his bike. Thankfully, everyone made it through safely and continued along the riverside path towards Balloch.
Our original plan had been to celebrate our arrival with a swim in Loch Lomond. However, as the rain became heavier and the wind picked up, the children voted for what they felt was a much better reward for their efforts — chips!
A huge thank you to all the children and adults who took part. It was wonderful to hear so much laughter and enthusiasm throughout the day. Ivor was an absolute star, declaring that the 21-mile cycle from Glasgow was "easy" and announcing he is ready for more adventures. Willow reflected that she "enjoyed cycling with my friends and it felt good to support our forest school." Finn said he "loved the cycle because he got to talk with his friends the whole time" — and, of course, the chips helped too.
How will the money be used?
Together, we raised an amazing £1,233 for We Are Wonder — every penny of which stays close to the ground. The money will go towards developing our volunteer programme: training new volunteers, equipping them well, and funding more nature adventures for the young people in our community. It's an investment in the people who make We Are Wonder possible.
What's next?
We now have a GoodHub fundraising page and we'd love to hear from you. Do you have an idea for our next fundraising adventure — a walk, a wild swim, a sponsored something-or-other? Or maybe you'd like to get involved as a volunteer? Either way, we want to hear from you. The more people who are part of this community, the further we can go — quite literally, as it turns out.
Find out more about our projects at: www.wearwonder.org
Or email us at: play@wearewonder.org
