Easter Ross rugby fanatic does Doddie proud as LEJOG epic scores £30K
A WELL-KENT Easter Ross man whose idea of a cycle run used to be a six-mile jaunt in jeans and old jacket has hit the £30K mark for charities close to his heart after completing a Land’s End to John O’Groats epic.
As previously reported, Alan McLean (68), a familiar face in Ross-shire farming and rugby circles, was talked in to accompanying bicycle-mad pal Jimmy Beattie (67) on a bucket list challenge.
The two men and their wives regularly travel to rugby fixtures together so the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was immediately chosen. Alzheimer’s Society was also chosen as very deserving of support.
The pals’ history stretches back almost half a century to agricultural college days.
Alan, previously a farm manager in Easter Ross and then managing director of HBS Ring Ltd up until his retirement in 2021, maintained his fitness even if cycling was not his strong suit.
Land’s End to John O’Groats took them “24 days of cycling in all weathers” and a total of 1108.5 miles.
And after obliterating their initial target by hauling in a remarkable £29,200 of pledges, the dynamic duo let it be known last month they would be “thrilled” to make it a round £30K.
This they have no achieved with a heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported them along the way and chipped in “for great causes”.
The £26,031 raised was pushed over the £30,000 mark thanks to gift aid additions.
Their funding page can still be seen at https://www.justgiving.com/team/jimmyandalancyclelejog2024
