BALLINGRY'S amazing charity cyclist Magali Christie could not believe the support she received from the Benarty public on her 600 plus mile challenge to John O'Groats and back.

Magali, the French lady who has lived in Ballingry for over six years, just loves cycling and she decided to do the amazing round trip from Ballingry for two causes dear tio her heart, the Benarty Fundraisers; and Meningitis Research, after two of her friends from Ballingry lost their baby twin aged only 11 weeks through Meningitis and Septicaemia.

She has always been amazed with the enthusiasm and commitment displayed by the Fundraisers and she wanted to do something significant for them also.

So despite being ill for her scheduled start to her massive cycling challenge on April 5 she was able to start a few days later and she was given a heartening send-off from the Benarty Community Shop.

She knew that the notorious A9 lay in front of her but the cyclist who has tackled long trips through Europe was undaunted but the further north she got the more the wind angle caused her problems.

Her first night was at Newtonmore and she camped at a sports field and the next day the wind was even more fierce and Magali faced the challenge in her normal fearless fashion.

However, the stretch to Dornoch was not easy. Her second night was in Tain and she was welcomed in by a local family and was able to bed down for the night on a couch, slightly different from her tent in Newtonmore!

The next stage was to get to John O'Groats and that was tough and it was 9.30pm at night before she reached the famous sign posts.

Really tired she was so thankful that Benarty Fundraisers' James Fotheringham had a friend, Keith Annandale who along with Neil Campbell ensured that Magali was able to spend the night in The Weigh Inn.

Said Magali: "Well that was the first half complete and then I realised I now had to head back.

"So I made the decision to go down the North Coast 500 Road to sample some different scenery and it worked really well.

"There was one problem though when my phone fell out of my bag and a car ran over it but I stayed the might at Bettyhill and managed to rescue my sim card and put it in a new phone I got hold of and my connection was restored.

"The phone was important because it kept me in touch with everyone at home and I was able to post progress on my Facebook page.

"The wind was no behind me mostly and I made good time and was soon at the Kessock Bridge where I placed the Saltire flags my son Lachlan gave me.

"The weather was getting colder though and camping out was a bit chilly but by that time I was looking forward to getting home."

Magali made great progress on the way south and she was met by James Fotheringham in his car and videod on her return to Benarty and in to Benarty Square where a buig turn out of people met her.

Added the lady who is opening her fitness classes at Benarty Centre and also hopes to have outlets in Kelty and Cowdenbeath: "I had such great support from the team at the Community Shop in Benarty Square and I have to thank everyone who has sponsored me, it really has been numbing the backing I have received.

"I have £1,385 raised just now but hopefully it will continue to rise over the next few days. It would be really brilliant to get to the £2,000 mark."

People can still support her through her Facebook page.