A firefighter and his cyclist daughter are getting ready to take part in next year’s Doddie Aid charity challenge to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND).
Barrie McCutcheon, who lives in Johnstone, is a group commander with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) based in the East and West Dunbartonshire, Argyll and Bute region (EWDAB).
Isla, 18, who has been cycling since she was around eight years old is an amateur road-racing cyclist and has competed and raced across Britain and Europe.
She will join her father, also a keen cyclist, and a team of firefighters and staff from the SFRS to take part in Doddie Aid’s 700-mile epic.
Isla will be one of the youngest to compete in the fundraiser during which she will celebrate her 19th birthday on February 6.
“I think Isla maybe got the cycling bug watching me at a race in Paisley,” Barrie told the Paisley Daily Express. “Even at an early age, she was determined and committed.
“Any pains, injuries or bad weather – nothing fazed her. She’s talented and she works hard. I’m proud of how far she’s come. It’s going to be great to have this time with her and we’ll be doing this together, and with the team, for a great cause.”
Isla joined her local club, the Johnstone Jets, aged eight and won the British Championship in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, when she was just 12.
She is now part of the Solas Race Team – Scotland’s first dedicated team for junior women.
While Barrie and Isla share a passion for bikes, it will be the first time they have taken part in an event and cycled together.
Barrie hasn’t been on his bike for around three years – and he’ll need to get used to being back in the saddle.
He explained: “I used to take Isla to the cycle path in Bridge of Weir. Now she’ll be the one coaxing me back on the bike and helping me. It’s a role reversal. I’ll be the one trying to keep up with her.”
Doddie Aid was founded by Rob Wainwright, former Scotland rugby captain and Lion, who is also an on-call volunteer firefighter based on the island of Coll.
The charity challenge raises funds for Doddie Weir’s charity My Name’5 Doddie Foundation which helps fund research into MND.
Next year’s challenge is a route around Scotland with the aim of arriving in Edinburgh ahead of Scotland’s Six Nations fixture with Ireland on February 9. The challenge will cover four days, setting off on Wednesday, February 5 from Stranraer, Wigtownshire, before arriving in Edinburgh on Saturday, February 8.
Later in February, Isla will be going to Spain with her cycling team. She is also having a gap year while she studies sports science and the opportunity to do Doddie Aid was perfect timing.
“My parents have always been very supportive and travelled all over to watch me,” she said.
“I’m really looking forward to cycling with my dad, he is a good cyclist himself.
“It will also be great to be part of the team and to help to raise money for a very worthwhile cause. It’s also going to be a different birthday that’s for sure!”
The SFRS team will consist of 14 team members made up of eight cyclists and a support team of six. They have previously taken part in Doddie Aid and raised over £33,000 for the charity.
Area commander Joe McKay, SFRS local senior officer for EWDAB, said: “This is the second time an SFRS team from the area has supported Doddie Aid. It’s a tough challenge but hugely rewarding. This year we’ll have a strong team with Isla in it and we’ll be drawing as much strength and inspiration from her as we can.”
Doddie Aid has so far raised around £2 million for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Visit www.justgiving.com/page/darren-gibb-1732191809547 to donate.
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