A NEILSTON man has taken part in a night-time cycle ride to raise money for a veterans’ charity.

Keith Fergus, 45, strapped on his helmet on Saturday for the Nightrider Charity Bike Ride, with all the money donated going to Combat Stress, which encourages former Armed Services’ personnel to seek help with mental health issues.

The challenge took Keith across a 100-kilometre route in and around Glasgow. He said: “I’m on my bike most days of the week. It’s great to go out for a pedal and a catch-up with other people who, like me, are passionate about cycling. The fact this event is through the night is a novelty.”

Keith, who is an outdoor photographer and is involved with Neilston’s Bikeability programme that teaches kids how to stay safe on the road while cycling, was inspired to support Combat Stress by his cousin Colin Fergus, who was a captain in the Royal Engineers before he took his own life 15 years ago.

Keith added: “I am familiar with the integral work Combat Stress does through a friend and the fact it is an independent charity helping veterans makes that close link even stronger.”

That friend is fellow Neilston resident Robert Lappin, who is regional co-ordinator for Combat Stress’ peer support service in Scotland.

Robert, 47, who also took part in the Glasgow Nightrider, served in the military for more than 20 years before taking his commitment and drive for improving the quality of life for veterans to the charity in 2010.

He told the Barrhead News: “The biggest barrier to veterans seeking help is the stigma attached to talking about their problems. Combat Stress strives to make overcoming that as easy as possible.

“On average, it takes them 12 years to come to our charity for support and, in that time, they can develop severe mental health issues, suffer marital breakdown, become dependent on drugs and alcohol and even resort to self-harm.”

To support Keith’s fundraising efforts, see uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KeithFergus. If you’re a veteran or a volunteer who wants to set up a peer support group in your area, or use Combat Stress’ other services, call 0800 1381619.