Aberdeenshire Trail Centre Development Film Night Fundraiser

The growing support for a mountain bike trail centre development becomes evident after North East Trail Centre Organisation (NETCO) hosted a sell-out film night in the Belmont Filmhouse with over 250 in attendance.


A buzz of excitement filled the foyer of the Belmont Filmhouse on Tuesday 5th July as mountain bike enthusiasts of all ages squeezed in the doors to support NETCO and enjoy some mountain bike films on the big screen.

NETCO Chairman, Martin Byers (an oil services company Commercial Manager) and Vice Chairman, Chris Hutchens (an oil services company Engineer) introduced the night and encouraged everyone to dig deep in their pockets to help raise the crucial funds for driving the project forward. After the event, Martin said “The generosity of our supporters was incredible! We sold thousands of raffle tickets and received some crazy high bids for the auctions items”.


Over £2000 worth of raffle prizes were up for grabs all thanks to the kind donations from both local and global sponsors. These fantastic prizes undoubtedly helped sell the event and also added to the atmosphere with plenty of banter flowing during the raffle draws.

The majority of films provided the audience with plenty of Scottish cycling action, helping to give a flavour of what to expect with a successful mountain bike trail centre development. Fort William, Dunoon, DH Farm in Banff and the Isle of Skye all looked breathtaking on the big screen. The aptly named 'Slice of British Pie' was up first and definitely set the tone for the evening where viewers were presented with footage from a group of elite level mountain bikers having some fun with their friends, riding hard and crashing even harder. Laughter and empathetic gasps resonated around the cinema as the audience clearly related to the thrills and spills on display – mountain biking in its rawest form.


Other highlights included a short film from DH Farm - a purpose-built bike park near to Banff, and two films from the incredibly talented Scottish cyclist, Danny MacAskill in ‘The Ridge’ and ‘Imaginate’. “They looked absolutely incredible on the big screen,” said Chris. He went on to say “both of these films just make you want to grab your bike, find your inner youth and explore”.

In addition to raffle giveaways and riding films, the NETCO committee provided the audience with a short update on the progress of the charity to date and opened the floor for questions. The committee were able to discuss the main focus of the huge fundraising efforts - the feasibility study. This study will take a look at four of the most promising areas and help NETCO make tracks in delivering a highly sought after mountain biking trail centre in the North East of Scotland. This will be a modern facility boasting a network of 35km+ of all-weather multi-graded trails for cyclists of all ages and abilities to enjoy.


Plenty of questions were put forward to the committee which indicated the high level of interest in ongoing activities - mostly questions around the shortlisted sites, the timeline and how people could offer their support and help. The key takeaway from the committee was that the best way to help would be to continue to donate to NETCO and spread the word. Any donation big or small help NETCO to demonstrate public support for this project and build momentum behind this vision.

The first fundraising night for NETCO was certainly a success and this is furthered by the discovery that the night raised over £3000. This takes NETCO’s total to well over £8000 including the online donations for the feasibility study. NETCO treasurer, Jim MacPhail (a construction industry consultancy Mechanical Associate) stated that “The generosity of the North East mountain biking community and the support that has been evident for this project has put us in a great position. With grant applications also proceeding positively, we expect that we will be able to start a feasibility study later this year.”

He went on to explain that “The feasibility study is vital to the project; it will involve a professional trail designer investigating the sites that we have to choose between, and will also confirm the economic sustainability of our proposed trail centre, something that is vital if we are to win the grant funding needed to build the trails.”

This event would not have been possible without the fantastic support from sponsors who kindly permitted the use of films and donated some brilliant prizes for the raffle and auction. A big shout-out, therefore goes to;

Cut Media, OneUp Components, Hope Technology, Slice of British Pie, DHFarm, Cyclehighlands, Bikeremedy, Banchory Cycles, Craigdon Mountain Sports, Transition Extreme, Scottish Enduro Series, Drop and Roll Tour, TheCycleJersey.com, Paligap, Mudhugger, Sick Skills Mountain Bike Coaching, Orange Bikes, SRAM, Wideopen Magazine, Descent-World.co.uk, Dudes of Hazzard, FOX Racing, YT Mob, Unior Tools, T-Mo Racing, Scott, Gore Bike Wear, Base Camp Bikes & BrewDog.

For further details, please contact us at netcomtb@gmail.com. To keep up with the project visit the NETCO website and Facebook page.

We thank you for your time and support in advance. Let’s create the best trails in Scotland!

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MENTIONS: @NETCO

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