Hebridean marathon for 121 charity cyclists

A 121-STRONG group of cyclists will set off today on a marathon trek through the Hebrides in memory of a schoolgirl who died from a rare brain tumour.

Family and friends of 11-year-old Katie McKerracher have travelled from as far afield as France and southern England to take part in the 120-mile challenge from Lochmaddy in North Uist to Barra.

They hope to complete the event in four days and raise money for a trust set up in Katie's name.

The youngster, from Ettrick Bridge, near Selkirk, died in January 2009 from Diffuse Pontine Glioma, a rare brain cancer.

Her parents, Ann and Andrew, and brothers Fergus and Bruce are among the cyclists, aged eight to 68, taking part in the event being held in the Uists, where Katie enjoyed holidays.

They plan to camp out at night and have also planned a fundraising ceilidh in Daliburgh Village Hall in South Uist on Saturday evening.

Mrs McKerracher said: "The response has been overwhelming. We were hoping to get around 20 cyclists, so to have 120 is fantastic."