Perthshire cyclist's mountain route challenge for Alzheimer's
A Perthshire cyclist is to take on a challenging 200-mile north east Scotland mountain course with a total ascent of 11,000ft this month for charity.
Perth city fireman Alastair Hare's route includes the Cockbridge to Tomintoul road over the Lecht which reaches a height of more than 2,110ft as well as the Cairnwell Pass on A93 Glenshee road (2199ft) and the Cairn o' Mount (1,493ft) on the Banchory-Fettercairn road.
The 41-year-old decided to take on the July 17 solo challenge - which starts and finishes in his home town of Coupar Angus – to raise money for Alzheimer Scotland after his grandmother Doreen was diagnosed with vascular dementia around two and a half years ago.
Alastair said: 'As a family, it has been truly heartbreaking to watch the decline in her health as she was once a strong individual who enjoyed being able to do her daily activities and was an active member of the community.
'Sadly, this is no longer possible as both her communication and mobility skills have rapidly deteriorated.'
During the July 17 cycle Alastair - who is also retained firefighter at Coupar Angus – will be backed by family in two support vehicles including Alastair's wife Sam and eight-year-old daughter Charlotte, his dad Iain and stepmum Alison.
Alastair, a former Rattray Primary and Blairgowrie High School pupil, said of the challenge: 'Honestly, I feel a bit of everything I am excited, nervous, and definitely wondering if I've taken on more than I can chew.
'Cycling 200 miles in one day is a massive challenge, especially doing it solo, and there are moments during training where I think 'What have I signed up for?'
'The route is a really challenging one as it has a bit of everything and as we know the Scottish weather can be unpredictable.
'It's not only going to be a challenge physically but also mentally just as tough, especially when you start to get tired.
'I will have to focus on the road ahead and be able to push through those moments of doubt.
'But at the same time, I feel incredibly motivated. This isn't just a physical challenge it's something really personal.
'I'm doing it for my gran, and for everyone affected by dementia. That purpose is what keeps me going, even when the legs are tired or the weather's awful.
'I know it's going to be tough, but I'm proud to be taking it on and I'm really thankful for the amazing support I've had along the way.'
The Perth United Cycling Club member, who plays football and attends the gym regularly, also used to swim for Blairgowrie Dolphins for many years.
However, he has never taken on a cycling route like this before, commenting: 'I have cycled for a few years now, although most of my cycling was to commute back and forward to work to save a little bit of money and to help keep myself fit.
'I have done a few of the local sportives over the years which range from 80 to 100 miles and the last couple of years I have joined Perth United Cycling club and regularly go out with other members from the club on group training rides.'
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Edinburgh Reporter
5 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
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Daily Record
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The Herald Scotland
16 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Female student who fled Afghanistan finds 'second home in Scotland'
Muzhda Iqbal said she had 'lost all hope' after the Taliban banned women from university education. A woman who fled Afghanistan to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a doctor has said Scotland is now her second home. In August 2024, she joined 18 other women who were brought to Scotland to study medicine as part of a scheme by Scottish charity The Linda Norgrove Foundation, along with the UK and Scottish governments. The 27-year-old met up with her fellow Afghans in Edinburgh at a reception hosted by Scotland Office minister Kristy McNeil. Ms Iqbal said she has 'experienced such wonderful kindness' since moving to Dundee, where she now studies. Omulbanin Sultani attends a reception at the UK Government's Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh (Image: Craig Meighan/PA Wire) She said: 'My hope was telling me just go and continue your education, and the future you always dreamed of. 'So, I made this decision and my family encouraged me to become a doctor because it was my childhood dream.' Ms Iqbal said her aunt had died in Afghanistan while pregnant because her family did not allow her to see a male doctor while there was a lack of female doctors. 'It was the hardest, disappointing, most heartbroken day in my life that I lost my auntie because of lack of female doctor,' she said. 'And it made me strong in my decision to become a doctor.' She said she hopes to go back to Afghanistan one day when it is safe. Until then, she is enjoying her time in Scotland. 'I've experienced such wonderful things,' she said. 'The kindness. The people are very friendly, kindly and they welcome me warmly, and they make me feel like I belong here. 'It's a very positive thing that I experience here because I'm far away from my family, even though sometimes they're not giving me the sense that I'm away, I have a family here and second home in Scotland.' READ MORE: Omulbanin Sultani said Scotland has given her opportunities that are not available for her in Afghanistan. The 22-year-old, who studied at St Andrews, wants to become a dermatologist and, one day, move back to her homeland. She told PA she misses her family – who she has not seen since July 2024 – 'so much' but manages to contact them over the internet most days. Ms Sultani is safe now in Fife but she said it was not easy to leave the Taliban's rule. 'We were not allowed to get out without a male partner,' she said. 'It was challenging to deal with the conditions where you're not certain you'll be able to do the opportunity you can only get once in your life. It was difficult.' The student said it was after she finished her second semester at university in her home country that women were banned from education. Six months later, the Linda Norgrove Foundation stepped in. 'It was a great feeling,' she said. 'When you lose something, and you know how valuable it was, and you get it again, you get that feeling.' Ms Sultani said she had heard while in Afghanistan that Scots were 'famously friendly'. Staying here for the past year, she says that has proven to be true. She said: 'When we first came here we were walking around Edinburgh and it was an atmosphere of friendly people, a place where everyone is respected and here where we are in St Andrews it's so international and friendly.' The medical student even enjoys the Scottish weather, saying: 'It's unusual but I love it. Where I come from it's hot and when you come to this weather, you like it. I hear people don't like it but I love this weather.' Scotland Office Kirsty McNeill (left) with Afghan medical students (Image: Craig Meighan/PA Wire) Kirsty McNeill, a minister at the Scotland office and MP for Midlothian, said it was important to celebrate the 19 Afghan women landing in Scotland a year ago on Monday. She said: 'This will be transformational for the 19 students involved. 'Of course, they had lifelong dreams to be doctors, and here in Scotland we're helping them to fulfil them. 'We can't solve every problem, but the problems that we can solve through schemes like this, we will always try to.' Ms McNeill said the first year had been a success, with all 19 women continuing their studies into second year. She added: 'We've given all the support we can and they're still here and they're thriving. 'They're incredibly resilient women, as of course you'd have to be.'
