2011_09_29

Just to update you, we completed the cycle on Sunday at 6:54pm, 6 mins short of 36 hours!

The route from Blairgowrie to Carrbridge was pretty tough but John, Sam and myself managed it - getting to Inverness Castle at 11pm on Saturday night! We had great support from Edinburgh with Alan (my brother) Fraser, Glen, Sean, Crispin and Iain joining us to Perth. 

Over the whole weekend we had a fantastic support crew which followed our every move. thanks to John K, Carol, Suilven, Jason & Anna. 

I think we’ve now hit our £7k marker so will ease off the fund raising for now - before all my friends stop speaking to me!

If you’ve not already seen them then please click the link below & Jason’s great pics will appear – just as if you were there!

Thanks again for all your help.

Colin

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            https://picasaweb.google.com/108073557306021551669/EdinburghJohnOGroatsDayOne?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKfPht_a8fPk0QE&feat=directlink#

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/108073557306021551669/EdinburghInvernessJohnOGroatsDayTwo?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIyO5dSIlOOjHA&feat=directlink#

 

2011-09-20

We're making such fabulous progress with our fundraising. On Saturday night we gatecrashed my brother's 40th and held an auction, where we managed to raise another £1000 pushing our joint total (with gift aid) to over £4500!!! Thank you so much for all your support.

On the day we're now going to be joined by Sam Proctor & Glen Wade on bikes and have been offered support by lots of people including Jason Brown, Rob Gavin, Lizzie Wade and even Carol's dad is planning on following us in the support car at 15mph!

Finger's crossed for a tailwind!

 Thanks, Colin

 

2011-08-31

 

One year ago this week I was on Gran Paradiso, the highest alpine peak solely in Italy, with my good friends Jonny Creaney, John MacKenzie and Sam Proctor. We had a fantastic trip with beautiful weather and stunning views of the snow capped mountains. Summit day involved a 4am start from the hut we had climbed to the previous afternoon and with a lung busting ascent in the dark up to the glacier we eventually roped up, dawned our crampons and climbed through the ice field, avoiding the enormous crevasses, to the summit at 4030m.

 

One year on things are very different. Shortly after the trip Jonny was diagnosed with a large tumour in his bowel and has been undergoing treatment. Each time we meet up he tells me of the magnificent care he has been receiving from Friends of the Beatson, of how relaxing it is to receive treatment there and how their support has been encouraging for him.

 

See Jonny’s blog: http://scarpadog.wordpress.com/

 

This has made me think it’s time I did something to raise some money for such a great charity!

 

So, on September 24 2011 I’m going to leave Edinburgh Castle on my bike and head north. The aim is to get to John O’Groats by midnight the following day. Hopefully I’ll get some support along the way and I’m even trying to convince John MacKenzie & Fraser Urquhart (and possibly others too including my brothers and my wife Carol!) to come with me. Each mile I cover will hopefully increase the money I raise!

 

Bowel cancer is a vicious disease. It affected my grandparents and now to see my close friend suffering from it I feel I need to do something (albeit miniscule in the scheme of things) that will go towards making someone’s day a little easier.

 

Your support will be massively appreciated whether it’s through a donation or simply giving me encouragement on the day.

Thank you.

Colin

https://picasaweb.google.com/108073557306021551669/EdinburghJohnOGroatsDayOne?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKfPht_a8fPk0QE&feat=directlink#