Fundraising Dornoch father and son hit the road
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A DORNOCH father and son have both launched fundraisers for separate charities.
Ben Hallam (47) is undertaking a non-stop NC500 cycle ride to raise money for Reverse Rett while nine-year-old Finn is running in aid of Assynt Mountain Rescue Team.
Ben, a fabricator with Global Energy in Evanton, is scheduled to set off from Dornoch Square at 5am on Thursday (July 8), and will be pedalling clockwise round the 516-mile tourism route.
A support vehicle will be on hand stocked with food, water and spare cycle parts.
“I’ve done some long cycle rides, although not for charity, but nothing as long as this,” he said. “The longest ride I have done so far was at the end of May and that was 250 miles."
He hopes to complete the route in less than 40 hours and his progress can be followed on a live tracker.
The charity Mr Hallam is supporting funds research to find a cure for Rett Syndrome, a rare, non inherited neurological disorder.
Fellow Dornoch residents Alvin and Stephanie Wood have a daughter, Emilia, who has Rett Syndrome and the couple work hard to raise awareness of the condition and funds for Reverse Rett.
Mr Hallam said: “I have no connection with the Woods, apart from us being local. I just felt that Reverse Rett was a cause that I wanted to support.”
Meanwhile young Finn, who began his challenge last Thursday, is running a total of 50 miles throughout July.
His dad said: “Finn is just running as and when. He started off with five miles last Thursday and then did another four the day after.”
The active youngster, who plays football for Caley Thistle u11s and is also a keen golfer, wanted to raise money for Assynt Mountain Rescue Team in memory of his cousin Stuart Campbell.
Mr Campbell was tragically found dead in August last year on Ben Loyal, south of Tongue. The rescue team was involved in the search for him.
Finn said he wanted to thank the rescue team for their hard work in finding his cousin and his family would be forever grateful to the volunteers.
Both father and son have set up Justgiving pages. To donate to Ben, click here; and to donate to Finn, click here.
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