Teachers cycle for charity

Jun 26 2009 by Lynn Duke, Strathearn Herald

TWO local teachers are gearing up for the ultimate road trip – cycling the entire length of the country in aid of charity.

Elaine Henry, a former pupil and PE teacher at Crieff High School and Lindsay Arnott, who currently teaches Craft, Design & Technology at Crieff High, are aiming to take on the sponsored challenge of cycling from the most southerly point in the UK, Land’s End, to the most northerly point at John O’Groats. The total trip will be a mammoth 1066 miles and is estimated to take an exhausting 14 days to complete.

The friends decided to take on the challenge in aid of Pancreatic Cancer Research UK after Elaine’s father was diagnosed with the disease, which is one of the most potent, yet underfunded.The trip requires a full support team, made up of friends Sarah Duffy and Stuart Reedie and their infant daughter Skye, to shadow them to provide food, water and any necessary medical attention.

Preparation for the trip has involved many hours spent in the saddle, with five training sessions each week, and the pair already have countless miles under their belts. They are well prepared for the challenge having taken part in gruelling tests before.

Elaine completed the Edinburgh Marathon in 2005 in aid of Edith’s Home, a charity based in Uganda, whilst the philanthropic duo has taken part in a number of physical challenges over the years. Elaine, now a teacher at Perth Academy, believes that their previous exploits will serve them well.

“We’ve completed a few triathlons before to raise money for the Beatson oncology centre in Glasgow, so we feel quite prepared physically for the trip. The hardest part might be passing through Perth on the way north and wanting to give up and go to bed there and then!”

The training hasn’t been without its problems, however. The high-tech bikes needed to complete the trip have taken some getting used to.

“We have had a few teething troubles during training. We’ve haven’t quite got used to the pedal clips on our specialist road bikes and have had a couple of embarrassing falls in front of traffic jams and crowds outside Marks & Spencer.”

“Our family had previously lost my grandfather to the same disease, so we felt that after my father’s diagnosis we should turn it into something positive – to raise awareness and much needed funds for research and treatment,” Elaine added.

The campaign has had an excellent response from the local community, with strong support from local businesses and individuals – particular thanks must go to Cycle World, Comrie (Dispensary) Ltd, Senses Face & Body Spa, The Deil’s Cauldron, Legends of Sport and Howdens Building Supplies.

The girls hope to raise more money towards their target – they have currently raised just over half of their £2000 objective. Any readers that would like to donate to the cause can do so via their website, http://www.justgiving.com/elaineandlindsay and sponsor forms can also be obtained through Comrie (Dispensary) Ltd and Senses Face & Body Spa in Comrie.