South Ayrshire Council News

Provost Winifred Sloan is pictured with the participants in the Lang Way Roon in Crosshill.
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Why would a group of people that includes a South Ayrshire Council employee, want to travel 1,100 miles by road over four days around the coast of Scotland? To raise funds for two charities - CHAS (Children's Hospice Association Scotland) and Cancer Research UK.

The event was started at Crosshill on Thursday 5 August 2010 by South Ayrshire Provost Winifred Sloan. The 30 people taking part, travelling on motorbikes, in classic cars, Land Rovers or quad bikes left Crosshill to travel around the coastline to places such as Ullapool, Thurso, Peterhead, Dunbar, down to Kirkcudbright and will return to Crosshill on 8 August 2010.

Provost Sloan said: "I was very happy to meet all the participants and officially start the Lang Way Roon Scotland trip.

"This is a great challenge and every penny raised through sponsorship will be split equally between the two charities. Members of the Carrick Round Table are providing support to the participants during their challenge so it is a strong team.

"I know CHAS and Cancer Research UK will appreciate the funds raised and they will be put to very good use. One in three people in Scotland will have their lives touched by a need for services from one of these charities."

Among those taking part is Council employee Colin Duthie, a Leisure Development Officer for Young People with Special Needs. Colin is keen to raise as much money as possible for the charities, he also has personal reasons for taking part. Having travelled the same route 26 years ago with his wife and friends on a motor bike six weeks after his return he was involved in a freak accident that changed his life forever. Colin was struck by a truck and this led to him sustaining very serious injuries including having to have a leg amputated. Riding a specially adapted motor bike Colin will be getting back on the open road raising funds for others.

Colin Duthie said: "This is a personal challenge for me, getting on a motor bike again and travelling around Scotland. More importantly thought it is a chance for me to give something back to two very worthy charities who make a real difference to the lives of people and their families who are going through difficult times."

If you would like to sponsor Colin or other members of the team simply log on to www.justgiving.com/langwayroon.