Firefighter and cyclist daughter to take part in Doddie Aid 2025

A firefighter and his cyclist daughter are getting ready to take part in next year’s Doddie Aid charity challenge to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Group Commander  Barrie McCutcheon and cyclist daughter Isla
Group Commander Barrie McCutcheon and cyclist daughter Isla will be taking part in Doddie Aid 2025

Barrie McCutcheon, who lives in Johnstone, is a Group Commander with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service based in the East and West Dunbartonshire, Argyll and Bute region (EWDAB). 

His 18-year-old daughter Isla is an amateur road racing cyclist. She has competed and raced across Britain and Europe and has been cycling since she was around eight years old.  

Isla will join her father, also a keen cyclist, and a team of firefighters and staff from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to take part in Doddie Aid’s 700 mile cycling challenge. Isla will be one of the youngest to compete in the challenge during which she will be celebrating her 19th birthday on February 6.

Barrie said: “I think Isla maybe got the cycling bug watching me at a race in Paisley when she was around eight years old. Even at an early age, she was determined and committed. Any pains, injuries or bad weather – nothing fazed her. She’s talented and she works hard. I’m proud of how far she’s come. It’s going to be great to have this time with her and we’ll be doing this together and with the team, for a great cause.” 

Isla joined her local club, the Johnstone Jets when she was eight years old and won the British Championship in Scarborough when she was 12. She is now part of the Solas Race Team, Scotland's first dedicated team for junior women.  

While Barrie and Isla share a passion for bikes, it’s the first time they have taken part in an event and cycled together. Barrie also hasn’t been on his bike for around three years, and he’ll need to get used to being back in the saddle.  

 

Group Commander  Barrie McCutcheon and cyclist daughter Isla

He said: “I used to take Isla to the cycle path in Bridge of Weir when she was around eight years old, now she’ll be the one coaxing me back on the bike and helping me – it's a role reversal. I’ll be the one trying to keep up with her.” 

Doddie Aid was founded by Rob Wainwright, former Scotland rugby captain and Lion, who is also a volunteer on call firefighter based on the island of Coll. The charity challenge raises funds for Doddie Weir’s charity My Name’5 Doddie Foundation which helps to fund research into MND. 

Next year’s challenge is a 700 mile cycle route around Scotland with the aim of arriving in Edinburgh in time for the Scotland v Ireland Six Nations fixture on Sunday February 9, 2025. 

The route will cover four days, setting off on Wednesday, February 5 from Stranraer before arriving in Edinburgh on Saturday, February 8.  

Later in February Isla will be going to Spain with her cycling team. She is also having a gap year while she studies sports science and the opportunity to do Doddie Aid was perfect timing.   

She said: “My parents have always been very supportive and travelled all over to watch me. I’m really looking forward to cycling with my dad, he is a good cyclist himself. It will also be great to be part of the team and to help to raise money for a very worthwhile cause. It’s also going to be a different birthday that’s for sure!  

 

Barrie McCutcheon and daughter Isla meet cyclist Geraint Thomas
Barrie McCutcheon and daughter Isla meet cyclist Geraint Thomas

The SFRS team will consist of 14 team members made up of eight cyclists and a support team of six. They have previously taken part in Doddie Aid and have raised over £33,000 for the charity.  

Area Commander Joe McKay is SFRS Local Senior Officer for EWDAB. He said: “This is the second time an SFRS team from the area has supported Doddie Aid. It’s a tough challenge but hugely rewarding. This year we’ll have a strong team with Isla in it and we’ll be drawing as much strength and inspiration from her as we can.” 

Doddie Aid has raised around £2 million pounds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to date.

Donate at: Fundraising for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation 

Read more at: Doddie Aid 2025