Glasgow pair will run, row and cycle from London to Paris

Two fundraisers are set to embark on the challenge of a lifetime as they attempt to run, row, and cycle their way from London to Paris in just six days.

Barry Cook, Derek McEwan and Jenny Cook.

Barry Cook and Derek McEwan are undertaking the ‘Arch 2 Arc’ challenge for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, for which they are Ambassadors.

The pair will depart Marble Arch in London this weekend and run 87 miles to Dover, row 29 miles across the Channel to Calais before cycling 181 miles from Calais to Paris.

Kirsten Sinclair, director of fundraising, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Barry and Derek have supported us for many years, raising thousands of pounds to help care for the babies, children and young people treated at Scotland’s largest children’s hospital.

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“Barry and Derek are taking on a mammoth journey – they have done so much work in the build-up, have trained for months and deserve everyone’s support. Everyone at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity wishes them all the best on the Arch 2 Arc challenge.”

Barry’s daughter Jenny was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of five, and underwent numerous operations at the former Yorkhill hospital including having her large bowel removed.

Her family have raised more than £110,000 for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity over the last few years, including via the annual ‘Tea Jenny’ event.

Barry, who is a vice president at Barclays in Glasgow, said: “Once I considered what Jenny has faced in her life, I realised that my challenge was nothing. This was a real chance for me to give something back to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity and at the same time take to the road and water and raise more awareness of this disease.

“It won’t be easy - there have already been days of pain and tears trying to get into shape for the challenge but I’m prepared to give it every bit of energy I have.”

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Derek, who founded the Catherine McEwan Foundation after his mother passed away from Crohn’s disease, has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to help improve the lives of people living with Crohn’s and Colitis.

Derek said: “I wanted to set a challenge that would capture people’s imagination and hopefully raise a lot of money for our charities. It has been a year of training and fundraising that will put all of the team through pain both physically and mentally, but nothing in comparison to the people we are trying to help.”

Barry and Derek, both 40, are already inspiring others to take on the Arch 2 Arc challenge, with a group of six members of the military police successfully doing so from Dreghorn Barracks last week.

And now, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity is calling on companies, gyms and sports clubs to take on the fundraising challenge in support of Barry and Derek. You can enter as individuals or a team, and complete the challenge in your own time.

To find out more, visit: www.glasgowchildrenshospitalcharity.org