Watch: Fife Cycling hero Kirsteen Torrance gets surprise thank you from Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy for her community work in Burntisland

During the pandemic, Kirsteen, cycling development officer for Fife Council, has helped run Burntisland Action Team with a team of 80 volunteers who have delivered hundreds of meals and food parcels in the local area as well as collecting shopping and prescriptions, sorting donations and running essential errands for those who were shielding.

In honour of her hard work for the Burntisland community, Six-time Olympic champion, Sir Chris Hoy in partnership with the National Lottery surprised ‘avid fan’ Kirsteen with a video call and the delivery of a new bike.

Sir Chris Hoy said: “What an honour it is to chat to such a compassionate and caring person as Kirsteen Torrance.

"Her hard work and dedication this year is nothing short of inspirational, and the efforts of the volunteers at Burntisland Emergency Action Team have helped hundreds of people in the local community.

"We often hear of sports people being referred to as heroes, but this year has shown more than ever, that heroes come in all sorts of guises.”

Talking about her surprise call, Kirsteen said: “I've followed Sir Chris' career for over 20 years and am an avid fan of his phenomenal journey, so you can imagine my utter shock when he appeared on the call.

"I am bowled over by this surprise and it was amazing to speak to him. I feel so humbled that I was chosen for this dedication and want to say a huge thank-you National Lottery players for continuing to support projects like The Burntisland Emergency Action Team that has been helping people in the area when they most needed it this year.

"I enjoy using my passion for sport to get more people on bikes so to be recognised for doing what I love is a bit surreal and totally wonderful.”

The call is one of many hosted by the National Lottery across the UK to honour grassroots sports volunteers and workers who have helped others in the ongoing pandemic with some of the £30m raised each week for good causes.

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