A MID Scotland and Fife MSP has called for the opening of the Queensferry Crossing to be marked by a charity event to promote organisations such as MND Scotland.

The calls, from Claire Baker MSP, follows the success of the M74 Bike and Hike event that took place before the opening of the M74 extension in Glasgow in 2011.

The charity event saw around 20,000 participants take part in two courses that incorporated the extension before the motorway was opened to cars. Participants could take part in a 14km round trip or a shorter ‘out and back’ 4km route.

Whilst participants could raise money for the charity of their choice, the event officially recognised eight main organisations including Scottish Association for Mental Health, Macmillan Cancer Support and the British Heart Foundation.

Now the Scottish Labour MSP is calling for a similar event to mark the opening of the new bridge over the Firth of Forth which is due to open in 2017. The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP is hoping that the event will be able to raise funds for local and national charities.

Ms Baker has raised the issue in Parliament with the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and is now hoping to get local support to make the event a reality.

In response to the question by Claire Baker the Scottish Government confirmed that it was looking at a “full range of options” for the opening for the bridge.

Claire Baker MSP said: “The Bike and Hike event was a great way to open the M74 extension and simultaneously raise awareness and money for charity. It would be fantastic if such an event could be arranged for the opening of the Queensferry Crossing.

“I have no doubt that Fifers would love the opportunity to be amongst the first to cross the bridge and take part in what could be a full day of fun stretching from one side of the Forth to the other.

“With great views of the rail and road bridge along with the coast of Fife, the opportunity for people to cross the bridge before it is open to cars should be fully considered.

“This would be a great initiative to raise money for local charities such as MND Scotland but also for the many local charities across Mid Scotland and Fife that do great work day in day out.

“I hope that people across the region can get behind an event to mark the opening of the crossing event and that the Scottish Government will make such an event a reality.”