SCOTS sports activities stars have introduced that they are going to again veteran handlebar heroes who’re aiming to boost cash from a whopping 1,000 mile journey throughout the size of France.
Rugby union skilled Finn Russell and former basketball professional and SKY tv presenter Kieron Achara are supporting the intrepid bikers as they increase money for worthy charities.
The handlebar heroes, who all attended the Excessive College of Stirling, haven’t any expertise of long-distance biking.
Finn, Kieron and different supporters can be cheering on former basketball stars Norrie Bairner, 71, Bobby Morton, 69, and Brian Williamson, 67, as they pedal from Calais to Cannes in simply 10 days.
Regardless of their lack of expertise, the heroes are eager sports activities lovers and have been instrumental in Stirling Basketball Membership profitable the Scottish Nationwide League Division 1 in 1980 – a crew that consisted of purely native gamers.
The journey started on 23 September at Kings Knot Parking Space, the place the group set off in a motorhome to drive to Folkstone for an in a single day keep earlier than touring by way of the channel tunnel very first thing after which biking on Sunday morning.
The trio are additionally accompanied by a assist automobile pushed by one other former Excessive College basketball participant, Campbell Ferrier.
Collectively, they’ve efficiently managed to boost £10,000 already.
The cyclists will increase cash for the Strathcarron Hospice, Kidney Children Scotland, Pancreatic Most cancers, Diabetes Scotland, and The Melanoma Society.
A Givewheel web page has additionally been arrange for those that could want to donate to the trigger.
Talking to Finn immediately, he mentioned: “It’s nice to see Norrie, Bobby and Brian, native Stirling individuals who have introduced a lot to the sporting world themselves, enterprise this problem.
“I’m delighted to assist them and hopefully I’ll be in France when they’re on their epic journey”.
Former Excessive College pupil Kieron Achara mentioned: “I do know the good thing about sport and motion for each your bodily and psychological well being and it’s nice to see Norrie, Bobby and Brian tackling this nice problem particularly due to their historical past in a sport I really like, basketball.
“It’s nice to see what they’re doing and I can be supporting and watching their progress with nice curiosity.”
Bobby, like Norrie, a former PE trainer, mentioned: “Having the endorsement of those native – and in addition international – heroes is an exceptional increase for us and can be an incredible encouragement as we’re placing within the miles in France.
“What we’re doing is nothing by comparability to what Finn and Kieron have achieved of their lives – sportspeople in Stirling have quite a bit to be happy with.
“They’re an inspiration, to say the least.”
Brian, an entrepreneur, mentioned: “We hope that the truth that we’re taking over this problem at our age will present that the years don’t have to be limiting, and that it’s by no means too late to take up a brand new sport.
“We additionally intend to be as fluent in French as it’s attainable to be in six months of studying by the point we set off on the cycle journey in September, for instance that lifelong studying can also be one thing that individuals of our superior years can nonetheless embrace.”
Norrie mentioned: “All of our lives have been touched in numerous methods by life altering illnesses like most cancers and we wish to make our personal small contribution to supporting a few of the charities which put a lot effort and compassion into supporting others.”
