Blantyre firefighter John is cycling through 5 countries for charity

Sep 3 2009 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

AN INTREPID Lanarkshire firefighter leaves this week for a marathon charity cycle ride.

John McQuade will bike 600 miles through five countries in five days.

John (45), who lives in Blantyre with wife Elaine and son Ronan, aged 10, aims to raise money for the Fire and Rescue Family Support Trust.

He is tackling the ride without back-up and leaves his home tomorrow for the cycle to Troon where he will board the ferry to Larne.

From there, he travels down to Dundalk to complete the first day’s effort.

On Friday, John will cycle to Dublin and on to Dun Laoghaire for the ferry to Holyhead.

A cycle to the Welsh holiday resort of Rhyl brings the second day to a close.

The final stages of the gruelling journey will take him to Preston, Gretna and back to Blantyre to complete the five countries’ tour of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Wales, and England. John, who has been prominent in the campaign in Blantyre over the siting of a new St Joseph’s Primary, hopes to raise about £500 from the trip.

He is no stranger to marathon cycle rides, having last year biked from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

“I have been doing between 150 and 200 miles a week in training,” said John, who has been a firefighter for 14 years.

“It is going to be hard, particularly as I will be unsupported, but I think I will be able to do it. I will be carrying in panniers on the bike everything I need for the five days and staying at bed-and-breakfasts.”

John is grateful to fire service colleague John Cairns, who has managed to secure sponsorship from the Scottish Chamber of Safety, Safety Groups UK and Safety Health and Environment Forum. Each donated £300 towards the cost of the trip.

Anyone wishing to sponsor John can do so through any fire station.