Bill to bike 200 miles to aid Macmillan Centre
A 70-YEAR-OLD Inchbare man is preparing to cycle almost 200 miles across Scotland to raise cash for the Macmillan Centre at Stracathro Hospital.
Bill Duncan, who describes himself as a "lifelong cycling enthusiast", will make the trek from Mallaig to Stracathro in the spring, to raise cash for the vital local facility that has provided such sterling treatment for numerous local patients.
Bill said: "I haven't actually set a date yet. However, it will be a midweek date in April and I would hope around the third week in April.
"I thought the Macmillan Centre would be a worthy benefactor, because they play such an important part in helping people get through difficult times and illness.
"The distance is just under 200 miles. In terms of preparation, I usually do 30 to 40 miles per day, although that has obviously been curtailed recently with the snow and icy cold weather.
"However, I usually go out by Fettercairn, Auchenblae and Drumtochty and round that way.
"I have managed to get overnight accommodation in Fort William on the first night, so that is sorted.
"However, I am looking for as much support as possible from publicans, bed and breakfast owners, hoteliers or guest house owners to put me up for a night here and there.
"The thinking behind that is if I can save as much money as possible, it's all the more that goes into the pot for the charity.
"I hope to travel from Mallaig to Pitlochry on the first day of the trek. That would be by far the biggest part of the entire journey and would cover a distance of approximately 80 miles.
"It's quite a hilly part of the jaunt there are a lots of inclines, effectively a lot of ups and downs,particularly in the region of Dunkeld.
"If I don't go straight back to Stracathro from Dunkeld, I may well stop off around about Kirriemuir to ensure a shorter run the following morning, although I do want to complete the trip in three days.
"Cycling is a life-long passion since childhood and this is a great opportunity to put a hobby into good use for a well-deserving local cause.
"One thing I am also stuck with at present, although it can be overcome with the train, is transport to Fort William in the first place. I thought about trying a few transport firms and fish lorries, in another attempt to cut costs."
Bill explained that Macmillan has provided a pivotal role in the preparation themselves by handling the paperwork and administration for the fund-raising event.
"I am hoping that I will be able to leave some sponsorship forms with local businesses in Brechin and Edzell and the girls at the Spar Shop in Edzell have already pledged their support.
"I am only starting to raise cash now, but the initial target is to raise about 500. If I can make more than that all the better.
"However, if the project catches people's imaginations, I would be quite happy to go and talk to people like the Rotary Club and the Round Table and perhaps get more people on board next time around.
"The event could then grow and perhaps even more money could be raised.
"I hope its sunny and dry and I make as much as I can. I would like to finish the trip off by cycling, probably at an agreed time, into the Macmillan Centre and getting one of the girls there to sign something to say I had finished the trip."
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Weather for Brechin
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
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