Ian’s Alpine trek will boost charity

Jan 29 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A DAD-OF-THREE who defied the odds to beat cancer is getting on his motorbike in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Big-hearted Ian Mitchell, of Corsock Avenue, Earnock, will travel through 10 countries in nine days as part of the “Another Way Around the Alps” trek, beginning on May 8.

The cash raised will be split between CHAS and Cancer Research UK.

Engineer Ian (43) won a battle against Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which affects the body’s immune system.

He was diagnosed two years ago and treated at Hairmyres and Gartnavel hospitals, receiving the “all-clear” last year.

Fund-raising will be supplemented by the raffling of a new BMW F 800 GS motorcycle worth £6500.

The group tackling the trek are aiming to sell 5000 tickets at £5 each in a bid to raise cash for the charities. Tickets will be available to buy at Motorrad Central East in Dalkeith and Motorrad Central West in Bishopbriggs.

Raffle tickets can also be bought at the Gyle Shopping Centre, Edinburgh, on February 14 and 15.

The draw takes place at Motorrad Central East, Dalkeith, on February 28. Rock Radio DJ Tom Russell and former Marillion frontman Fish will attend the draw.

Tickets for a charity auction at Beecraigs Restaurant, Edinburgh, on February 24, are already sold out.

Ian lives with his wife Janette in Burnbank, Hamilton. They have three children, Fiona (22), Gillian (15) and 18-year-old Hayley.

Ian said: “We’re going around the Alps and there are nine of us as part of the group who are travelling through Scotland, England, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, France, Holland and Italy.

“We are hoping to raise as much money as we did last year but we know that is going to be difficult because of the economic climate.

“We want to keep all the money raised in Scotland and we decided this year that it would go to CHAS and Cancer Research.”

Last year, Ian and seven others rode the “Four Corners” on their motorcycles from Edinburgh Castle to Dover and raised a whopping £12,000 for Cancer Research and UNICEF.

They spent around 12 hours on the road each day, travelling an average of 500 miles.

l Clydesdale Bank have already donated £500 to the appeal and that will go directly to Cancer Research UK.

To sponsor Ian, go to his fund-raising page at www.justgiving.com/anotherwayaroundthealps