Pete Slater of Science In Sport prepares for rain	Brian Smith can’t wait to get wet

The ride lived up to its name	SIS director Tim Lawson’s cafe cleats

RCUK and Eurosport’s David Harmon with backing group	Harmon shares a joke with Sean Kelly, Hendrik Redant and Scott Sunderland

Gareth Montgomerie is Braveheart funded for 2009	Chris Hoy presents jersey to auction winner

Chris Hoy in drumming action	Auctioneer Alan Hewitt ups the bids

Plenty of memorabilia at auction	Mark Cavendish and Thor Hushovd

With the presence of multiple Olympic gold medalist Chris Hoy a highlight of the evening, the 2008 Braveheart dinner was a huge success, raising some £40,000 for the fund. The dinner was attended by a host of cycling stars including Mark Cavendish, winner of four stages of the 2008 Tour de France, former Tour green jersey Thor Hushovd, Irish cycling legend Sean Kelly, retired Belgian roadman Hendrik Redant, former pro and CSC directeur sportif Scott Sunderland and rising Irish star Dan Martin.

The evening was enlightened by the efforts of auctioneer Alan Hewitt, MC David Harmon and, on drums, Chris Hoy. Caroline MacIntyre, wife of recently deceased former national 25 mile champion Jason, gave a moving address thanking the fund for its generous support over the last year. Mountain biker Gareth Montgomerie received Braveheart funding for 2009.

RCUK enjoyed the hospitality of sports nutrition company Science In Sport having participated earlier that day in the Braveheart Ride, which took place despite winds of 50mph plus and torrential rain that at least kept the roads clear. While many high-profile entrants, mindful of the conditions, prudently decided to take the short route, RCUK’s editor foolishly set off with some local fast men only to puncture at the far point of the route, leaving himself with a solo 20 mile ride into the wind to get back to the event HQ at Kilmarnock’s St Joseph’s Academy. But isn’t that the whole idea?