Teenagers cycle 100kms to raise cancer charity cash
Two Whiting Bay teenagers have cycled 100kms, including a circumnavigation of the island, to raise money for a cancer charity.
Brothers Sid and Jesse Townsend, aged 15 and 14, who usually ride off road as members of Arran High School Mountain Bike Club, set off from Whiting Bay at 9.15am on Saturday morning and headed north along Shore Road towards Brodick. They reached the 60km mark at lunchtime and enjoyed a well-deserved break at Café Thyme, with much-needed refuelling courtesy of Lorna and her team.
The duo joined forces with friends and family in London who had pledged to cycle 100kms around London’s 12 football league grounds raising money for Lymphoma Action. Team captain and family friend Hugh Porter was diagnosed with Central Nervous System (CNS) Lymphoma a year ago and has received amazing support from the charity.
Hugh, a Scot living in London, was diagnosed with CNS Lymphoma last year on his 50th birthday. He underwent intensive treatment, including a full stem cell transplant, and now, amazingly, is classed as being in remission.
The charity recently launched an emergency appeal for funds after so many fundraising events had to be cancelled as a result of lockdown.
The boys enjoyed a sunny southerly cycle and reached home tired but delighted at 5pm.
Their pedal power has so far raised more than £500 for the charity, which has been added to the £23,850 rising total raised by the London riders. Not bad considering the Arran youngsters only decided to undertake the challenge the day before!
The boys thank Arran residents for their generous support. Anyone wishing to donate can do so at https:// justgiving.com/team/ Round-the-Grounds