The round-the-world cyclist and Winning Scotland Foundation ambassador has congratulated the team from Edinburgh’s Carbon Financial Partners, who helped raise £35,000 for a charity established 10 years ago by Cairn Energy founder and former Scotland rugby international Sir Bill Gammell.

Beaumont (33) was guest of honour at an event held at the city’s Botanic Gardens which celebrated the success of the fundraiser, with the “Carbon Fivers” team taking on the challenge and climbing 33,500 feet on scenic north of Scotland roads to mark the fifth anniversary of the company.

Mark, who cycled 18,000 miles round the world in a record-breaking 194 days and 17 hours, has also pedalled the length of the Americas and last year travelled the African continent from Cairo to Cape Town.

He said: “The ‘Carbon Fivers’ team completed some very hard miles and it is fantastic that so much has been raised for Winning Scotland.

“I have been involved with the Foundation since completing my round-the-world challenge back in 2008. It has been going from strength to strength, providing the structure for top athletes and adventurers to go into schools and share their stories in a meaningful way with youngsters.

“They touch upon training, nutrition and life skills, inspiring and sowing seeds of ideas that youngsters can build on, sparking a fire in their bellies.

“The Carbon cyclists took on and conquered their own Everest over more than 500 miles, inspired by my own madcap idea to do it non-stop. That’s not something I would advise.

“The North Coast 500 is a beautiful cycle route, although I did find myself cycling in a ski jacket in mid-August! It has been great to see so many people stepping-up for the challenge.”

“It is one thing to talk about it in the office or the pub but these guys saw it through in some tough conditions.”

Carbon trio Richard Wadsworth, Mark Christie and Iain Harper were joined on the challenge by Max Chassels (Deloitte), Ian Ord (Fifth Ring), Nigel Chapman (Standard Life, Edinburgh), Alex Marshall and Hamish Low (Generation Investment) and Ally Gray (Limitless LDN).

Corporate partners for the venture were Johnston Smillie, Maven, Sarn Technologies, Fifth Ring and Craneware.

Carbon managing director Gordon Wilson recalled: “I saw Mark had taken on the North Coast 500 and that provided the inspiration for us, although the five-strong Carbon team decided to tackle it over five days rather than challenge his non-stop 37 hours and 58 minute record!”

Carbon staff in Edinburgh also supported the fundraiser with a retro food day, tray bakes, a cheese and wine evening and participation in the Kilt Walk.

Foundation chairman Sir Bill Gammell accepted the £35,000 cheque and said: “It is a fantastic achievement by the team from Carbon.

“Mark Beaumont has been with us for years and is now among 200 athletes going into schools.

“Carbon are owed a huge thank you for their support and for sharing our vision for encouraging children to be the best they can be, learning from their failures and achieving things they didn’t believe they could in all aspects of their lives.”

Max Chassels, Richard Wadsworth, Sir Bill Gammell, Mark Beaumont, Gordon Wilson, Alan McLaughlin and Mark Christie. Front Ian Ord and Iain Harper. Pic Fraser Band