Stuart scoots way to record for wife

Awidower is “over the moon” after almost halving the Guinness World Record for scooting from Land’s End to John O’Groats, in memory of his wife and to raise thousands.

Stuart Jamieson, 46, from Bo’ness, West Lothian, made the 995-mile journey in 11 days, 10 days faster than the previous record.

He carried out the challenge in memory of Eva, who died of cancer in 2018 aged 37.

Mr Jamieson has supported end-of-life care charity Marie Curie since then, raising more than £20,000, including more than £9,000 from this venture, in which he travelled an average 95 miles a day on his kickscooter, named Big Blue Magoo by daughter Beth, 13.

He said: “Not only am I over the moon to have set a new Guinness World Record, I’ve been blown away by the support I have received over the 11 days.

“Whether it’s been people on the streets who have cheered me on, to making donations to my JustGiving page, knowing that people across the whole country were supporting me is what helped me get through it.

“Knowing that when I got close to where I live in Scotland and having my two kids, Beth and Oscar, join me, really meant so much to us as a family.

“I did this challenge in memory of my wife, Eva, who died of cancer in 2018, when she was just 37 years old, which was just devastating for the family.

“To mark what would’ve been her 40th birthday last July, I ran 40 marathons in 40 weeks and next year I’m going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro as Eva always wanted to do that, so I’ll begin training for that – but once I’ve had a rest from scooting almost 1,000 miles.”

Mr Jamieson, a personal trainer who owns SJ Fitness Coaching, started his journey on April 30 at Land’s End and passed through Taunton, Bristol, Warrington and Carlisle before crossing the border. He continued through Moffat, South Queensferry, Perth, Inverness and Dingwall, before making the final stretch up to John O’Groats on Tuesday.

His children, Beth and Oscar, 11, joined him for a while on their bikes when he was in his home area.

Marie Curie community fundraiser Jim Stewart said: “I never had any doubt Stuart would be able to do this as I knew he was so committed to setting a new Guinness World Record in memory of Eva.

“The fact he has also raised over £9,000 for Marie Curie is absolutely fantastic.”

Donate at JustGiving.

SCOOT ROUTE: Stuart Jamieson, 46, on Big Blue Magoo.