Derek sets off on gruelling London to Paris challenge
Derek will run, row and cycle in Arch to Arc Challenge
A Cambuslang fundraiser is currently taking part in his biggest challenge to date.
Derek McEwan started the gruelling ‘Arch 2 Arc Challenge’ at the weekend which will see him attempt to run, row and cycle his way from London to Paris in just six days.
Alongside his friend, Barry Cook, Derek departed from Marble Arch in London on Saturday to run 87 miles to Dover, row 29 miles across the Channel to Calais before cycling 181 miles from Calais to Paris.
Derek is raising money for the Catherine McEwan Foundation, which he set up in memory of his mum, and the Glasgow Children’s Hospital.
Catherine died from Crohn’s disease when Derek was just 16 and he has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years to help support people with Crohns and Colitis.
He said: “I wanted to set a challenge that would capture people’s imagination and hopefully raise a lot of money for our charities.
“It has been a year of training and fundraising that will put all of the team through pain both physically and mentally, but nothing in comparison to the people we are trying to help.”
Barry’s daughter Jenny was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of five, and underwent numerous operations at the former Yorkhill hospital including having her large bowel removed.
The Young Scot of the Year 2016 winner has since dedicated her young life to fundraising for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity and holds star-studded ‘Tea Jenny’ events every year which raise thousands of pounds.
Jenny, who hopes to add thousands to her total at her sixth Tea Jenny on September 11, had some words of encouragement for the intrepid duo.
She said: “I am really proud of my dad and Derek. They have trained really hard for a year for this and it has been a big commitment for them and really tough sometimes.
“I would just like to say thank you so much to both of them on behalf of all the children like me that suffer from inflammatory bowel disease.
“The money and awareness you will both raise already has and will continue to really make a difference.
“My brother Alex and I are very proud and we will be there cheering them on every step of the way!”
Kirsten Sinclair, director of fundraising at the Glasgow Children’s Charity, said: “Barry and Derek have supported us for many years, raising thousands of pounds to help care for the babies, children and young people treated at Scotland’s largest children’s hospital.
“Barry and Derek are taking on a mammoth journey and deserve everyone’s support. Everyone at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity wishes them all the best on the current Arch 2 Arc challenge.”