Memory of late janitor brings out an army of volunteers

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AN army of local primary school pupils cycling in memory of their late school janny have helped the Kingussie Bikeathon top last year’s total.

Organisers of the popular fundraiser have revealed that £34,000 had been collected so far for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research with more money yet to come in.

Relatives, youngsters and former colleagues of the late Kingussie Primary School janitor Alister Young took on the 26.2 mile Bikeathon on Sunday from Kingussie’s Ardvonie Park and cycled to Laggan and back in his memory.

Mr Young passed away in December, last year, succumbing to leukaemia four months after he was diagnosed.

His daughter Jill has been responsible for organising “Ali’s Army” – a special contingent of riders who peddled as far as they could to raise funds for the charity in her dad’s memory.

A total of 36 cyclists joined Mrs Reid and her family, and they all wore green wristbands to honour the late janitor.

Mrs Reid, a health care assistant, explained: “There was a lot of children from Kingussie Primary who cycled as far as Newtonmore and came back a while later, but some of the wee kids did the whole thing.

“It’s just amazing how many of these kids can just get on their bikes and go. They have so much energy!?“It was probably what my dad loved so much about them.”

Mrs Reid said she had raised £900 herself by taking part in the Bikeathon and the sale of 250 wristbands had made at least £400 more.

She explained: “The cycle itself was fine for me. I had gone out with my pals a few times and gone round by Kincraig and Insh, which is about 15 miles.

“I knew the whole thing was doable and you are definitely jollied along by people on the way. Watching the wee kids with their legs going round and round pushes you on to finish the course.

“It was nice day, with a great atmosphere and we couldn’t have had better weather!”

Mrs Reid was touched by the amount donated in her late father’s name and said Mr Young would have been very proud by the effort local children had made.

“I would like to thank the whole community for getting involved, whether they gave me a fiver or cycled the whole 26 miles!” she said.

Now in its 19th year, the Kingussie Bikeathon attracts hundreds of cyclists to the town annually and since being launched has raised more than £500,000.

Last year the initial estimation for funds raised was £31,000, although a total of £35,134 was brought in when all the sponsorship was collected.

One of the main organisers Bobby Nield said Ali’s Army had been the a major part of this year’s family-friendly event.

“The Bikeathon keeps itself going. It’s not a physical challenge like the Highland Cross, but it is great for the family.

“Obviously this year with Ali’s Army, we had a lot of kids taking part.

“Some of the kids from the primary school – the very young ones – went to the folk park with their parents or guardian but a lot of kids cycled all the way round, especially the young families.

“It was astounding to see kids as young as five, six-years-old up at Laggan and you think ‘how did they get here?’

“On a tiny bike, it is a long, long way.”

Mr Nield and his wife, Shirley, are still collecting funds from Sunday’s race and confirming participant numbers believed to be around 600.

However, he said numbers were up this year and he was deeply touched at the show of support for the Bikeathin given the tough economic climate.

“It’s amazing considering the state the country is in that this many people turn up and are willing to donate... I don’t where they are coming from, but we are very touched by their support!”

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