Financial Support to Commonwealth Games cyclist

Caithness Members of the Highland Council have come to the aid of a member of the Scottish Commonwealth team by agreeing to fund the purchase of a new racing frame required for this years games from their discretionary budgets.

Evan Oliphant from Wick who is a member of the Scottish road and track cycling team and, who had previously competed at the 2006 Melbourne games where he marginally missed out on a medal, had earlier appealed for funding assistance from the discretionary budget and members agreed at a recent business meeting to fund any shortfall following approaches to other sponsors. Local business County Joiners LTD Wick had already given Evan £280 of sponsorship.

On Monday (27th September 2010) it became apparent that no other sponsors were willing to contribute and with time running out as Evan is due to fly out to Delhi on Thursday 30th members were quickly contacted with regard to providing the full funding of £1,500  to which they readily agreed.

Wick member Councillor Bill Fernie said: “As a community it is not often we get the opportunity to support a local athlete in a major competition like this. I look forward to watching him compete on the television coverage.”

A Good Luck message was also sent to him from the members and an elated Evan replied thanking them for their support and good wishes and stating he would try his very best to bring a medal back home to Caithness and will keep members updated with his progress throughout the games.

Another Caithness cyclist,John Paul from Lybster, who is also a member of the Scottish team was recently sent a letter on behalf of the members congratulating him on his selection.