Brothers tackle end-to-end route in memory of their mother

Craig Kirk (left) and his brother, Mark, who are cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

TWO brothers are taking to their bikes later this month in a 10-day fundraising challenge from Land’s End to John O’Groats in memory of their mother.

Craig and Mark Kirk aim to raise money for the Macmillan unit based at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. Their mother, Shirley, who lived in Tomich, was treated at the facility before she passed away last July.

Craig (39), a serving Commissioned Engineering Officer in the Royal Air Force based at headquarters information systems and services in Corsham, near Bath, can’t praise the unit enough for the way in which his mother and his father were supported.

He said: "Our beloved mother, a retired RAF nursing officer, passed away suddenly in July last year following a battle with cancer – a battle she fought and was winning for a long time.

"The Macmillan nurses in Inverness provided much-needed local support to both her and my father, Ian, during her final two weeks of life and we just wanted to give something back to those who provide such vital support when it is needed most."

Craig explained the challenge involves cycling around 1000 miles from south to north while making sure they have everything they need for camping and eating each evening.

He said: "It’s unsupported, so we are on our own. There will be no overnight stays in local bed and breakfasts and no support vehicle so if anything happens like a buckled wheel, we’re going to have to sort it ourselves."

Craig and Mark (36), an aerospace programme manager based in the West Midlands, have set a target of £1500 which they hope will be reached if not surpassed.

Mark said: "We are being realistic with our expectations but it will be great if we can exceed that target – we have been given fantastic support thus far, from far and wide, and we are incredibly grateful for what we have received.

"It won’t be easy but hopefully it will be fun although our bodies may think differently after spending 100 miles per day in the saddle – neither of us are cyclists!"

It is hoped the trek will end on June 7 and both brothers have been invited to the Macmillan Unit at the hospital to meet staff and get a guided tour as a thank-you for what they are doing.

Nichola Summers, cancer services manager at Raigmore, is delighted the brothers have thought of the unit and is looking forward to meeting them next month.

She said: "It’s fantastic what they are setting out to do and I really can’t thank them enough. Meeting the staff and getting a guided tour is the very least we can do considering the time and effort they are putting in. I wish them well on their journey and hope it goes smoothly."