Father is to cycle 200 miles in memory of daughter and loved ones he lost to cancer

Welcome to Charity Champions – our weekly round up of some of the fantastic fundraising efforts taking place.

We’ll share stories of individual efforts and fundraising activities around the north and north-east.

This week, we’re shining the light on a loving dad gearing up to take on a gruelling cycling challenge in memory of his daughter, eight-year-old twins going the distance to support their cousin and an Aberdeen-based charity doing everything it can for children with severe disabilities.

Aberdeenshire dad Grant Stirling is preparing to cycle more than 200 miles to raise funds in memory of his daughter Mary who died of cancer, aged 32.

The 53-year-old, from Inverurie, has been taking part in charitable events to help good causes in her name since she lost her battle with the disease in 2021.

But Grant’s latest effort is his most ambitious yet – and he needs your help.

He and four friends are embarking on a 220-mile journey across the country from Inverurie to Dunoon on July 11 to mark the anniversary of Mary’s death.

Despite having “zero road cycling experience”, Grant will brave the challenge to support Cowal Hospice in Dunoon, where Mary lived, and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The charity has been a lifeline for his family during an “awful time”, providing care to his dad Campbell, brother Campbell and cousin David, who also died from cancer.

“I haven’t had it easy with my whole family but losing Mary was the biggest shock for me,” he said.

“Her passing was a very painful hit and I really wanted to do something in her memory to thank the hospice staff I’m in debt to for looking after my family.

“It’s for her, but also for me. I needed a good challenge to clear my head, and bring myself up. I’m looking forward to the cycle and am determined to do my best.”

Grant, a supervisory janitor at Inverurie Academy, has launched a GoFundMe page to raise cash for the cause close to his heart, with nearly £3,000 already donated.

However, he has made a plea for help to secure accommodation for the team in a bid to keep as much of the donated cash as possible in the pot for the charities.

Grant is asking for a sponsor to provide a roof over their heads for three nights in Montrose, Newburgh/ Auchtermuchty and Falkirk/Bonnybridge.

He said: “I am afraid that accommodation will take money away from the overall total, so if anyone with hostels, hotels, holiday rentals, rooms or lodges could help, that would really take pressure off our challenge.

“It’s going to be a big effort but if anyone could either host the seven of us as a sponsor, or donate what they can through our GoFundMe page, that would mean the world.”

People can get in touch about providing accommodation at grantsbigride@gmail.com or 07786 861266.

Daniel Miller, from Aberdeen, will be cycling from London to Paris in just 24 hours to fundraise for Duchenne UK.

Last weekend, his eightyear-old twin sons Jonny and Willem took part in their own cycling challenge in support of the charity.

The boys cycled 40 miles from Dyce to Inverallochy, along the old railway lines, in support of their nineyear-old cousin, Jacobi Whyte.

The youngster was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder, in September 2017 and his family have organised a series of fundraisers to support the search for a cure in the years since.

For their cycling challenge, they have already raised more than £10,000 via their Just Giving page.

The Aberdeen-based Gathimba Edwards Foundation’s Neil Jaffrey Initiative aims to provide specialist equipment and service support to children with disabilities in Scotland.

It currently has funding available to support children with severe disabilities and is reaching out to families to apply to receive a portion of this aid.

Peterhead mum Caelsa Sim, whose son Tyler was diagnosed with spine bifida before he was born, is encouraging families to submit their applications and get the much-needed help on offer.

She praised the charity for giving her now nineyear-old boy the chance to “thrive” by providing items inaccessible to them – a specialised bath seat, a custom-built bicycle and a motorised wheelchair.

The 31-year-old said: “The initiative has changed our lives in so many ways by allowing us to have access to equipment not available to him on the NHS.

“It has given Tyler a new found independence and allowed him to thrive in everything he does.”

If you are the parent, guardian or carer of a child who would benefit from support through the NJI ask for an application form at info@gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen volunteers’ hard work and efforts have been recognised on the national stage at this year’s Scottish Charity Awards.

Cfine has been shortlisted for Charity of the Year, while Garry Duthie from Camphill School has been nominated for Volunteer of the Year.

Winners will be announced on June 23 in a ceremony hosted by broadcaster Sally Magnusson at the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh.

We’d love to include your event in a future Charity Champions – e-mail livenews@ajl.co.uk with the details.

SWEET MEMORIES: Grant Stirling and his daughter Mary, who died aged 32.

Grant and Mary Stirling.

Cyclist Grant and a pal.

Little Tyler Sim.