SCOTS sports stars have announced that they will back veteran handlebar heroes who are aiming to raise money from a whopping 1,000 mile journey across the length of France.
Rugby union professional Finn Russell and former basketball pro and SKY television presenter Kieron Achara are supporting the intrepid bikers as they raise cash for worthy charities.
The handlebar heroes, who all attended the High School of Stirling, have no experience of long-distance cycling.
Finn, Kieron and other supporters will be cheering on former basketball stars Norrie Bairner, 71, Bobby Morton, 69, and Brian Williamson, 67, as they pedal from Calais to Cannes in just 10 days.
Despite their lack of experience, the heroes are keen sports enthusiasts and were instrumental in Stirling Basketball Club winning the Scottish National League Division 1 in 1980 – a team that consisted of purely local players.
The journey began on 23 September at Kings Knot Parking Area, where the group set off in a motorhome to drive to Folkstone for an overnight stay before traveling via the channel tunnel first thing and then cycling on Sunday morning.
The trio are also accompanied by a support vehicle driven by another former High School basketball player, Campbell Ferrier.
Together, they have successfully managed to raise £10,000 already.
The cyclists will raise money for the Strathcarron Hospice, Kidney Kids Scotland, Pancreatic Cancer, Diabetes Scotland, and The Melanoma Society.
A Givewheel page has also been set up for those who may wish to donate to the cause.
Speaking to Finn today, he said: “It’s great to see Norrie, Bobby and Brian, local Stirling people who have brought so much to the sporting world themselves, undertaking this challenge.
“I am delighted to support them and hopefully I’ll be in France when they are on their epic journey”.
Former High School pupil Kieron Achara said: “I know the benefit of sport and movement for both your physical and mental health and it is great to see Norrie, Bobby and Brian tackling this great challenge especially because of their history in a sport I love, basketball.
“It’s great to see what they are doing and I will be supporting and watching their progress with great interest.”
Bobby, like Norrie, a former PE teacher, said: “Having the endorsement of these local – and also global – heroes is a phenomenal boost for us and will be a great encouragement as we are putting in the miles in France.
“What we are doing is nothing by comparison to what Finn and Kieron have achieved in their lives – sportspeople in Stirling have a lot to be proud of.
“They are an inspiration, to say the least.”
Brian, an entrepreneur, said: “We hope that the fact that we are taking on this challenge at our age will show that the years do not have to be limiting, and that it is never too late to take up a new sport.
“We also intend to be as fluent in French as it is possible to be in six months of learning by the time we set off on the cycle trip in September, to illustrate that lifelong learning is also something that people of our advanced years can still embrace.”
Norrie said: “All of our lives have been touched in different ways by life changing diseases like cancer and we want to make our own small contribution to supporting some of the charities which put so much effort and compassion into supporting others.”
