Ian Beck was my PE teacher at St Cuthbert's High School, however I remember him for turning around my school life and indeed my future. I wasn't doing particularly well at school, but as a result of Ian's encouragement to get involved in competitive sport, my academic achievement improved significantly, and this was not a coincidence. Ian's mentoring, his ability to nurture potential and his great passion for coaching sport, is very memorable and rare. He was one of the best!

Unfortunately Ian has recently been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. This has affected Ian's life hugely, and he has had to give up teaching and coaching.

Ian and his family plan to make alterations to their home to help with his mobility, and I would like to help them. So I am aiming to raise funds by completing a bike ride from Newcastle to Edinburgh and back again on Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th September 2017.