Grandad dies on Arran charity cycle challenge
A grandad taking part in a charity cycle on Arran has died after a fall from his bike.
Retired Jim Glennie, 64, was part of a group of 19 riders taking part in the Ar- ran Cycle Challenge in aid of the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice when he crashed.
Son Alan, 44, who was alongside him at the time, gave him CPR, but he died of massive head injuries.
Alan told a national newspaper: ‘Four of us were coming down a hill.
‘Dad moved across because he’d seen some little stones or something, then he moved back towards the verge.’
Jim had almost finished his 72-mile figures of eight ride when he crashed headfirst into the verge on the hill of the The String near Brodick shortly before 4.55pm on Saturday. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Arran War Memorial Hospital in Lamlash.
Alan’s brother Keith, 38, wrote on Facebook: ‘Please come back. You’ve no idea how much we’re hurting, dad. You truly were our hero. We’re all at a huge loss. We’ll get through this because you built a strong family. It’s just a pity the core of it is gone.
‘I’m going to finish that cycle in your memory if it’s the last thing I do.’
Jim, of Stonehaven, Kincardine-shire, also leaves wife Joan, daughter Kim and six grandchildren, with a seventh on the way.
He worked offshore as a chef and rose to become operations director with ESS Support Services Worldwide, where he was responsible for a £25 million business.
Jim played centre-half for amateur teams White Heather, the Royals and West End, earning the nickname ‘Nails’. He was a former manager and life president of Stonehaven Athletic, formerly White Heather. He also enjoyed golf, tennis and keeping himself fit. He did 1,200 miles of training for the Arran ride.
A spokesperson for the hospice Jim was fundraising for said: ‘The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice lost a long-term and loyal supporter after the recent death of Jim Glennie. He has helped raise thousands of pounds for the hospice over the years and will be greatly missed by everyone in the hospice team who knew him. The hospice is supporting the family at this difficult time, and our heartfelt sympathies are with them.’
Mourners are donating to his justgiving.com fundraising page and his appeal has now raised more than £4,000 and is still growing.
A report on Jim’s death will go to the procurator fiscal.