Leaders from an Irvine-based recycling company recently embarked on a gruelling 135-mile cycling journey to mark 15 years of electrical recycling in the UK - and raise £1,000 for a local food bank.

Alison Gallacher, director at CCL and Brian McMahon, director at Restructa, from Optimum Eco Group, took part in the challenge, spanning 135 hilly miles from Edinburgh City Centre to Northumberland, before generously donating the sum to North Ayrshire Foodbank in Ardrossan.

The heartwarming endeavour was part of a nationwide event organised to mark the 15th anniversary of electrical recycling in the UK.

Organised by REPIC, the leading waste electrical and electrical equipment (WEEE) compliance scheme, the event rallied its partners, including treatment facilities, reuse organisations and local authorities for a 15-day cycling extravaganza, marking the sector’s achievements and highlight the importance of electrical recycling in the UK.

Alison said: “We are over the moon that we were able to provide this donation to North Ayrshire Foodbank and to help towards the remarkable work they carry out to ensure communities don’t go hungry.

“This experience has reinforced our commitment to sustainable practices not only in recycling but also in fostering a compassionate and caring society.

“We're grateful for the opportunity to make a positive difference, and we look forward to more collaborative initiatives that will create a brighter future for all."

North Ayrshire Foodbank, which is based in the Ardrossan Church of the Nazarene, was founded in December 2012 and has assisted over 58,000 adults and children combined.

The £1,000 donated by Optimum Eco Group will go towards the food bank by helping volunteers when purchasing the food for the larder for those who need it most.

Along with this, the money will also contribute towards the various other programmes that North Ayrshire Foodbank runs, including its junior chef programme which runs throughout school holidays and helps kids learn basic cooking skills, as well as ensuring they have at least one healthy and nutritional meal a day.

The donation will also help with the organisation’s urban farm, bakery and GRUB programme.

Craig Crosthwaite, founder of North Ayrshire Foodbank, said: “We are so grateful to Optimum Eco Group for this wonderful donation.

“We rely on donations of food, and money, from the public, but due to the cost-of-living crisis effecting everyone we are finding this harder. Which is why this cash boost is so valuable and important to us.

“This donation will help us to ensure that those who are most in need will be able to access food for their families.”

Louise Grantham, chief executive at REPIC, commented “The commitment and enthusiasm of all our riders to complete the 15-day WEEE Cycle Network made this event an experience to remember.

"As a lasting legacy, we secured £15,000 from our sponsors to donate to various local good causes associated with the event route and those riders who took part.

"We are really proud to facilitate Optimum Eco with this donation to a local initiative that will help provide invaluable support to those in need in their local community.”