Pupil and teacher team up to fundraise for charity

Published on Monday 13 February 2012 12:01

WHILE most of us will be at work or school, having our tea, then heading to bed, teenager Adrian Clark and his teacher will be pedalling non-stop.

The Currie Community High duo have set themselves the gruelling challenge of a 24-hour bike ride from John O’Groats to Edinburgh Castle, covering an astonishing 280 miles on just two wheels.

The challenge will raise money for the Edinburgh-based 500 Miles charity, which supports amputees and disabled people in Malawi and Zambia.

It was after a visit from the charity’s chief executive, former city lawyer Olivia Giles – who lost her hands and feet in 2002 to the blood poisoning form of meningitis – that the idea came to the cyclists.

Deputy headteacher Mr Paterson said: “Adrian has raised money before through cycling and decided he wanted to do the same this time.

“Olivia came into the school and gave a motivational speech and he decided to raise money for 500 Miles.

“As a cyclist myself I said I would join him as it sounded like a challenge.”

The pair will join a team of pupils and staff from the school who will set off from John O’Groats at 8am on April 4, arriving in the Capital 24 hours later, cycling through the night to keep within the time.

Mr Paterson said: “We are planning significant stops at Inverness and Pitlochry for a good re-fuel and I’m sure we will make shorter stops if we see a cake shop.”

The teacher, who recently raised £4000 in a charity cycle for Cancer Research UK, said the school was proud of Adrian’s dedication to raising money for charity and he had been given a special Pupil’s Choice award for his efforts.

He added: “He is such an incredible young man. We are really proud of what he is doing.”

Adrian, 17, who is going to Tanzania next year to help build homes for children orphaned through HIV and Aids, has managed to get at least seven other people to join him on his cycling challenge so far.

He said: “I’m really excited about it, although I’m quite anxious at the same time. It’s a huge challenge.

“The overnight bit will be the hardest part because when you’re in daylight you can see the roads in front of you but overnight it will just be continuous and we will be very tired by that point.

“I was inspired by Olivia and her story when she came to the school and I came up with this idea to cycle for 24 hours.

“I did a cycle last summer for charity so this is off the back of that.”

To donate to the fundraising appeal, go to http://www.justgiving.com/teams/JOG-EDIN24

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