A WOMAN from Gourock says she's gained a new confidence thanks to the help of an Inverclyde charity.

Donna Swabey hadn't had the opportunity to have a bike before moving to Gourock, and was faced with limited options for getting to work when the direct bus service between Gourock railway station and Inverclyde Royal Hospital, where she works, was withdrawn.

Donna Swabey says the Inverclyde Bothy gave her a new lease of life by improving her confidence levels while she's cycling. (Image: George Munro)

Not fancying a 40-minute uphill walk to the hospital, Donna turned to the Inverclyde Bothy, which promotes cycling and other forms of active travel around the area.

She says the charity not only helped her gain a newfound confidence, but changed her relationship with cycling all together.

Donna told the Tele: “What got me cycling to work was that there’s no longer a hospital bus from Gourock.

“I was already cycling by that point, but I wasn’t confident on the roads in the slightest, and one day I said to myself 'I can’t face walking up that hill one more time'.

“I’ve just gone from strength to strength since."

Having moved to the area from Glasgow, where she had no initial cycling experience, Donna was a bit apprehensive when told about the Inverclyde Bothy, which works with Cycling UK's Connecting Communities programme and the Cycle Access Fund.

But after finding out about the help that the team could offer, she soon realised it was a match made in heaven.

She continued: "Having lived in Glasgow, where I wasn’t able to have a bike or store it anywhere, I really started from nothing.

“When I realised it was going to be possible to cycle about quite freely, and then also store a bike, I really wanted to see what was there for me.

“Inverclyde bothy was then pointed out to me. Initially it was quite confusing because you wouldn’t know there was one in the station.

“I really like being active, so walking and getting about was something that really appealed to me."

Donna says her cycling journey has brought plenty of physical and mental benefits with it - and revealed that the Bothy team helped develop her love for cycling even more.

"Whenever people see me I’m told I’ve always got a smile on my face," she said. 

“It’s true, because if I’m having a bad day, I can just go out on the bike and forget about it.

“The Bothy are brilliant. It’s something where you’re given support and help to go down the right path.

“They’re really patient and accommodating. They really did help me find a new confidence that I didn’t have before."

If you'd like to find out about what help can be made available to you, you can find out more information at cyclinguk.org/group/inverclyde-bothy.