Connor, 8, takes on epic ride to honour late uncle
Schoolboy to cycle 35km for British heart charity
An eight-year-old schoolboy is gearing up to take on a mammoth cycle challenge in memory of his beloved uncle.
Newmains Primary pupil Connor Beck, from Renfrew, has already raised more than £2,000 for the British Heart Foundation ahead of his 35km bike ride in honour of popular SNP activist John Clark.
Gentle giant John, who was the office manager for Derek Mackay MSP, passed away suddenly while on holiday in America in October last year.
John’s young nephew is keen to mark what would have been his 35th birthday and raise as much money as possible by taking on the huge fitness challenge.
Connor will cycle the 35km at various locations in Renfrewshire over the weekend of September 19 and 20, accompanied by his dad Brian.
Proud mum Michelle said determined Connor wanted to be involved in remembering his uncle and to support a special charity he cared for deeply.
She said: “We lost John last year unexpectedly at the age of just 34. Our lives were torn apart by the loss.
“We have been thinking ever since of a way to commemorate him the best way we could on his next birthday, which would have been September 19.
“Connor said he wanted to do a run or a cycle to raise £100 for the British Heart Foundation, a charity John was always very supportive of.
“So he came up with the idea of cycling 35km, to mark what would have been John’s 35th birthday.”
A Gift Of Hope fundraising page is up and running to remember John and help save the lives of people with heart and circulatory diseases
Michelle added: “We created an online funding page seven days ago, and he has already raised more than £2,000. It’s been incredible.
“People have been so supportive and generous. Even people we don’t know.
“I think it shows the sort of person John was that so many want to support what Connor is doing.”
Michelle says the family has been greatly touched by the outpouring of love and support in memory of John from friends and strangers alike.
She added: “John was always so friendly and warm.
“He loved people and helping them where he could.
“It just shows how loved he was, for so many people to come forward with their support.
She says it came as no surprise that Connor wanted to be involved given how close the pair were.
She explained: “Connor and John were close. John used to take him to the football, so Connor really misses him.
“His dad Brian, myself and his little sister Hannah are all very proud of him for what he is doing.
“We can’t thank everyone who has donated enough - people have been so kind,” she said.
Before his tragic passing last year, John and pals Alan Dalziel and Ross Lafferty had attempted to walk from Glasgow to Edinburgh for the BHF, but were forced to stop after 42 miles when injuries caught up with them.
John had been tipped to have a bright future in Scottish politics and previously ran as an SNP candidate in the Paisley Northeast and Ralston ward in 2017. He was also the official SNP member support convener.
More than 300 people attended John’s funeral service at the Glynhill Hotel, in Renfrew, with friends travelling from across Scotland, throughout the UK and as far away as the USA to pay their respects to the man who grew up in Kirklandneuk, lived in Paisley and was known to many as a ‘gentle giant’.
Donations totalling £ 1,205 were collected for the British Heart Foundation at the service, with an additional £200 raised in John’s memory during an event marking Gavin Newlands’ adoption as the SNP candidate for the Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also paid tribute when he passed away.
If you wish to donate and help Connor raise as much money as possible, visit: https://bit.ly/32JMnLL