AN ALLOA not-for-profit boss “felt so alive” when she took on a mammoth 500mile fundraising challenge to secure the future of her organisation.

It was an “exhilarating” journey for Angela Watt of Resonate Arts House, who set her sights on cycling 100miles each day for five consecutive days at the start of June.

The challenge took her across the beautiful Scottish countryside with the route itself carving out the shape of a heart on the map.

Angela, a big fan of the Proclaimers hit song I’m Gonna Be (500miles), did not only test herself, but the route itself as she hopes to set up an annual cycle festival, #TheAlloa500, which would raise cash for the organisation each year.

The five days of the fundraiser each focused on specific aspects of Resonate: youth, older adults, isolation and loneliness, creativity as well as social deprivation and poverty.

And while she was out pedalling, the rest of the Resonate crew as well as the general public had the chance to challenge her on a static exercise bike at the North Castle Street venue.

Angela spent around 11 hours on her bike each day and while that admittedly caused a few aches, the chance to take nature in up close more than made up for it.

The outdoor enthusiast told the Advertiser: “Scotland is such a beautiful country and going at a gentle pace compared to racing past in a car enabled me to really experience the natural environment.”

She added: “I felt so encouraged by experiencing the wildlife - like coming around a wee bend near a rugged loch and wild goats were grazing as I passed, then making it up a long steep hill to have a warm waft of air bring the aroma of wild garlic to my nose, I felt so alive!”

Along the way, husband Cameron, owner of The Sign Shop in town, kept her company with a support vehicle boasting an Alloa500 livery to sow the idea of the festival.

Day three was a tough one, but the Resonate team never stopped encouraging her with The Resonate Singers sending her a loud rendition of the Proclaimers classic through social media.

Angela added: “How could anyone not achieve the challenge with all that energy driving you?”

So far, the initiative raised more than £5,000 for the organisation and several partnerships have already been formed for next year’s event.

Any Clackmannanshire organisation that would like to help set #TheAlloa500 up is encouraged to get in touch with Resonate.