Home News Members News ABERDEEN COMPANY DIRECTOR GETS IN THE SADDLE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR LOCAL CHILDREN’S CHARITY
Wednesday, 06 July 2011 13:03
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ABERDEEN COMPANY DIRECTOR GETS IN THE SADDLE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR LOCAL CHILDREN’S CHARITY

A North-east fitness fan is celebrating buying his first bike in over 20 years – by pledging to complete a gruelling 210-mile journey in ONE day.

Rod Leach will cycle from Mallaig to Aberdeen at the end of the month, aiming to raise £2,500 for local children’s charity Befriend A Child – and if his total reaches £5,000, then the 39-year-old has promised to cycle the return journey as well.

The company director from Crudie came up with the ambitious challenge after being given £20 through a charity initiative from a business network organisation. He used the money to buy cycling shorts and then, three weeks ago, bought his own bike – the first one he was owned since being a teenager.

An experienced runner and athlete, Rod has been training hard, cycling every day, completing journeys of more than 100 miles in preparation.

“Exercise is part of my daily life so I was very well prepared for this challenge in terms of my overall fitness level,” he said. “I was given £20 as part of a project to see how much money you can make from the initial donation.

“I want to raise as much money as possible so knew that I would have to do something a bit different and, as far as I am aware, no one else has completed this trip as a solo journey. I hope to see some supporters along the route, though no-one has offered to join me on the road up the Lecht yet!

“While the training and preparation might be hard, deciding on my charity was very easy. Befriend A Child is such a fantastic organisation, making a real difference to the lives of such deserving young people across Aberdeen.”

Karen Farquhar, Chief Executive of Befriend A Child, said she was very grateful to Rod’s dedication and wished him good luck for the challenge.

She said: “We are always amazed and delighted at the lengths that people will go to in order to raise money for our organisation. Rod’s 210 mile cycle is all the more impressive as he will complete it solo and within one day. We wish him all the very best.”

Rod, a director at Spotless Commercial Cleaning in Dyce, will cycle from Mallaig to Aberdeen, via Fort William, Aviemore, Newtonmore, Grantown-on-Spey, Strathdon and Alford. The Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative on George Street in Aberdeen has provided equipment and sports drinks for the event.

The trip will take place on Friday, July 29. Anyone who would like to sponsor Rod should go to http://www.mycharitypage.com/RodLeach

Established in 1975, Befriend A Child is Scotland's oldest befriending service for disadvantaged children. Working with social workers, care homes, health visitors, and other charities, Befriend A Child supports children aged 4-16 and continues to work with them up until the age of 18, if required.

The scheme became a registered charity in 1991 and in 2010 worked with more than 170 children in Aberdeen City - its largest number to date.

 

 

ABERDEEN COMPANY DIRECTOR GETS IN THE SADDLE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR LOCAL CHILDREN’S CHARITY

A North-east fitness fan is celebrating buying his first bike in over 20 years – by pledging to complete a gruelling 210-mile journey in ONE day.

Rod Leach will cycle from Mallaig to Aberdeen at the end of the month, aiming to raise £2,500 for local children’s charity Befriend A Child – and if his total reaches £5,000, then the 39-year-old has promised to cycle the return journey as well.

The company director from Crudie came up with the ambitious challenge after being given £20 through a charity initiative from a business network organisation. He used the money to buy cycling shorts and then, three weeks ago, bought his own bike – the first one he was owned since being a teenager.

An experienced runner and athlete, Rod has been training hard, cycling every day, completing journeys of more than 100 miles in preparation.

“Exercise is part of my daily life so I was very well prepared for this challenge in terms of my overall fitness level,” he said. “I was given £20 as part of a project to see how much money you can make from the initial donation.

“I want to raise as much money as possible so knew that I would have to do something a bit different and, as far as I am aware, no one else has completed this trip as a solo journey. I hope to see some supporters along the route, though no-one has offered to join me on the road up the Lecht yet!

“While the training and preparation might be hard, deciding on my charity was very easy. Befriend A Child is such a fantastic organisation, making a real difference to the lives of such deserving young people across Aberdeen.”

Karen Farquhar, Chief Executive of Befriend A Child, said she was very grateful to Rod’s dedication and wished him good luck for the challenge.

She said: “We are always amazed and delighted at the lengths that people will go to in order to raise money for our organisation. Rod’s 210 mile cycle is all the more impressive as he will complete it solo and within one day. We wish him all the very best.”

Rod, a director at Spotless Commercial Cleaning in Dyce, will cycle from Mallaig to Aberdeen, via Fort William, Aviemore, Newtonmore, Grantown-on-Spey, Strathdon and Alford. The Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative on George Street in Aberdeen has provided equipment and sports drinks for the event.

The trip will take place on Friday, July 29. Anyone who would like to sponsor Rod should go to http://www.mycharitypage.com/RodLeach

Established in 1975, Befriend A Child is Scotland's oldest befriending service for disadvantaged children. Working with social workers, care homes, health visitors, and other charities, Befriend A Child supports children aged 4-16 and continues to work with them up until the age of 18, if required.

The scheme became a registered charity in 1991 and in 2010 worked with more than 170 children in Aberdeen City - its largest number to date.