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Cycle ride will take brothers from Land's End to John O'Groats and back again.





A mum and her boys. From left, Richard, Lindsey and Danny Parkin
A mum and her boys. From left, Richard, Lindsey and Danny Parkin

TWO Brora brothers are embarking on a 2100-mile sponsored cycle ride in July in memory of their mother who died from cancer earlier this year.

Richard (28) and Danny (26) Parkin plan to cycle from John O’Groats to Land’s End and then back again and are calling the fundraiser PARKINride.

The two are raising funds for the Macmillan Suite at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, where their mother, Lindsey, was treated.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and died on 30th March this year, aged just 54.

Lindsey had worked as a technical instructor with the occupational therapy and physiotherapy department at the Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie.

Danny, a French teacher at Dornoch Academy and Richard, who formerly taught English in France but is now working at Dunrobin Castle, came up with their sponsored ride idea last December.

"We thought an end-to-end ride would be good but we wanted something with a bit more resonance so decided to do a round trip.

"You don’t hear of people doing that very often," said Danny, whose wedding in February to Eileen Grant of Kinbrace was brought forward because of Lindsey’s deteriorating health.

The brothers sought the advice of their mother as to which organisation should benefit from funds they raised.

"She was very supportive and said she wanted us to do it for the Macmillan suite," said Danny.

"Mam was at the suite every week or sometimes every day and either my dad (Robbie Parkin), ourselves or her friends would accompany her.

"I thought it might be an austere and serious place but it isn’t at all – it’s a warm and friendly environment."

The pair, who will be staying with friends and family en route, are setting off on July 12th and hope to take around three weeks to complete the journey.

In the meantime the brothers have embarked on a steady training regime and are clocking-up the miles on roads all over the county.

Richard and Danny have been surprised and delighted by the support they have received with more than £6000 already raised. Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/parkinride


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