COUNCILLORS NEED PEDAL POWER FOR THE 1918 BID

Councillors lagging behind in a charity cycle event have promised to put some pedal power into their fundraising efforts.

The Reformer told last week how South Lanarkshire councillors had raised just £10 after launching a sponsored cycle challenge weeks ago.

Representatives from all parties had vowed to raise £1918 for veterans’ charity Poppy Scotland by collectively cycling 1918 miles before Remembrance Day.

Team captain, Councillor Mark Horsham, this week insisted that elected members will move up a gear with their fundraising efforts.

Councillor Horsham, who is also the authority’s veterans’ spokesman, said: “In advance of the fundraising stage that will take place after the October school holiday week, we are also aiming to pedal 1918 miles on the exercise bike to raise awareness of this cause, and councillors have been working hard to add to this effort whenever they have had any spare moments.

“In the three weeks leading up to Remembrance Day, we will be moving the bike to the main entrance area at council headquarters to allow anyone else who wishes to help to do so.

“At that stage we will also be starting the fundraising to gather the £1918.

“We have been heartened already by the messages of support we have received, although the fund-raising will not begin until those final three weeks.

“If anyone wishes to donate prior to that they can do so online through our 1918 Poppy Pledge page at bit.ly/ poppypledge.”

Councillors will use an exercise bike at the council’s Hamilton headquarters.

On its website, Poppy Scotland is calling upon people across the country to get involved in its Poppy Pledge fundraiser.

It states: “More than 100,000 Scots made the ultimate sacrifice in WW1. 100 years on we have the opportunity to pay tribute to them.

“Let’s stand together during this centenary year to show that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”