Hunterston B manager finds his pedal power

A senior manager at Hunterston B power station has completed an impressive charity challenge to raise money for EDF’s charity partner Prostate Cancer UK.

Plant Manager Joe Struthers, 42, took on a virtual cycle and raised more than £2600 in the process.

Joe, who lives in Largs and has worked at Hunterston B since 2000, began his cycle on 30 November with the aim of paying a virtual visit to eleven EDF sites across the UK - a total of 2291km.

The virtual tour took him from North Ayrshire to Lancashire then on to Gloucestershire, followed by Somerset, Kent, Suffolk, Nottinghamshire and County Durham then back home via East Lothian and South Lanarkshire.

Joe completed the challenge at the power station on 4 March with support from colleagues via Skype and additional fundraising took place on site with a dress down day and gate collection.

Joe said: “To give context, I am not a cyclist, in fact I don’t even particularly enjoy cycling! At the start, I was unfit, and keen to lose some of the weight I put on during the first lockdown, so an exercise challenge seemed like a great idea at the time.

“As well as improving my own health and wellbeing, I wanted to raise as much money as possible for Prostate Cancer UK. The effects of prostate cancer on individuals and families is absolutely devastating, so I’m keen to do anything I can to raise awareness, and to raise money to help fund lifesaving research and support services.”

In total, Joe spent 69 hours in the saddle to complete the challenge.

EDF is in the second year of its three year partnership with Prostate Cancer UK. One in 8 men will be diagnosed with the disease in their lives. The charity funds research and provides support for those affected.