It’s all uphill for Neil’s challenge
Cyclist faces hill to raise case for Ukraine
A keen Killearn cyclist is pedalling the miles in a special challenge to raise money for the DEC’S Ukraine appeal.
Neil Mackay, who works as head of languages at Lomond School in Helensburgh, will cycle up a local hill sixty times today - mimicking scaling Ukraine’s highest peak, Hoverla, three times.
The challenge is expected to take somewhere between 13 and 15 hours, with Neil already having received strong support from locals and beyond on his online fundraising page where he has raised £872.
The local hill is one mile long with a 100 metre climb, meaning that he would be able to cover the 2,061 metre distance of Hoverla after about twenty rides - but Neil wanted a greater challenge so has added on two further trips to his gruelling effort.
The 52-year-old - who describes himself as an “amateur cyclist” - told the Observer: “I did something similar in London when I was living there to raise money after the earthquake in Nepal where I climbed the equivalent of Everest and I felt moved to do something similar for Ukraine.
“I’m looking forward to it but it’s the thought of going up and down 60 times that is the main part of me - it’s a case of mind than in the legs.
“It’s been lovely to have the level of support that I’ve had so far; the last time I did it, it was a nice family day where cyclists and non-cyclists all came along to support and I’m encouraging that again.
“It’s not really about the money as much, but more about raising the awareness of what’s happening over there and doing my bit to help out with that.
“The weather has been pretty kind so far to me, so I’m just hoping that continues for the day itself.”
For more information on Neil’s big cycle and to pledge your own support, you can visit justgiving.com/ fundraising/neil-mackay9.
It’s the thought of going up and down 60 times that is the main part