The former boss of NHS Shetland and NHS Borders is taking on a major 1,200-mile cycling challenge to fundraise for both health boards’ charities and Scotland’s mental health charity SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health).
Ralph Roberts, who has recently retired, is planning to ride around 1200 miles to raise funds for three health charities in Scotland, while also highlighting the importance of the NHS for our health.
Starting in May, the route for the ride will take Ralph from Unst in Shetland to Melrose in the Scottish Borders while visiting the most northerly, westerly, easterly, and southerly health centres in Scotland, as well as the headquarters of all the Scottish Health Boards.
During the ride, Ralph hopes to raise funds for SAMH as well as the charitable arms of NHS Shetland and NHS Borders, the two health boards where Ralph spent the majority of his career.
Ralph said: "Having been given the opportunity of a very satisfying career by the NHS, after retiring I wanted to give something back and having done a bit of cycling thought this would be a good way of doing this, while also giving me the opportunity to improve my own health and enjoy the beauty of Scotland.
“I am also keen to raise some funds for charity and am delighted to be doing this in aid of SAMH as well as NHS Borders and NHS Shetland's charities.
“I know how important it is that we increase our focus on mental health and wellbeing, both from my own challenges with mental wellbeing during my career, and how much more we can do as an NHS to support those in our communities who need our services.
“Having worked in NHS Borders and NHS Shetland, I am also delighted to be supporting their charities, who do valuable work supporting the local staff to provide even better services, with additional equipment, training and staff support.”
Catriona Wilson, Mass Participation Events Manager, at SAMH said: “We are so grateful to Ralph for taking on this incredible challenge to raise funds and awareness of mental health.
“At SAMH, we know how important physical activity is for our mental health and we run programmes that encourage and support people to live more active lives.
“The funds raised will allow us to continue to support people with mental health problems and mental illness across Scotland.
“I’d like to wish Ralph good luck on his exciting challenge.”
Karen Hamilton, Chair of Borders Health Board Endowment fund ("the difference") commented: "We are delighted Ralph has chosen to support us as a charity. Both the challenge itself and the causes he has chosen to support are a fitting reflection of his career in the NHS. People may not be aware but as Chief Executive, Ralph was also a Trustee of "the difference" and has seen at first hand the great work that the official charity of NHS Borders can do with the generous donations and spirited fundraising we receive. He understands the impact his efforts will have on patient care here in the Scottish Borders and I wish him well with his ambitious bike ride"
Lincoln Caroll, Chair of NHS Shetland's Endowment Committee said: "I am thrilled that our Shetland Health Board Endowment fund will be one of the key beneficiaries of this charity cycle ride. I encourage everyone to generously support Ralph as he takes on this challenging ride through Shetland and beyond, benefiting not just our fund, but two other incredible charities as well."
Frequently asked questions:
- Ralph Roberts spent over 35 years as an NHS manager, including 14 years as a Chief Executive in NHS Shetland and then NHS Borders.
- He initially trained in Edinburgh with Lothian Health Board before working in a number of roles at the Royal Sick Children's Hospital in Edinburgh and then in the Scottish Borders before moving to Shetland.
NHS Borders charity ("the difference") and NHS Shetland's charity both provide support to staff and patients in their respective areas, by funding additional equipment, services, training and staff wellbeing services, over and above those normally funded through the NHS.
About SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health)
- SAMH, which changed its longform name to Scottish Action for Mental Health in 2023, has been supporting Scotland’s mental health for 100 years.
- SAMH currently operates over 70 services in communities across Scotland, providing mental health social care support, addictions and employment services, among others. Together with national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention, and physical activity and sport, these services inform SAMH’s policy and campaign work to influence positive social change.
- Visit www.samh.org.uk or follow @SAMHTweets, SAMHmentalhealth on Facebook and samhscotland on Instagram for more information
Fundraising
- Ralph's fundraising page can be accessed on the "gofundme" site at https://gofund.me/1baec6ac
