Retired policeman Ronnie’s Himalayan challenge

Jun 19 2008 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

A WELL-KNOWN ex-policeman left this week for a motorcycling trip of a lifetime.

Ronnie Buchanan was a superintendent in the Strathclyde Force when he retired earlier this month after 30 years’ service.

He has served in South Lanarkshire for the last eight years, including five as sub-divisional officer at Lanark.

On Monday, the 58-year-old flew from Heathrow to Delhi to take part in a 10-day fund-raising motor biking ride through the Himalayas.

Ronnie, who lives in Larkhall with his wife Kate, was due to begin the 1250-mile trip yesterday (Wednesday) in the North-West Himalayan town of Shimla.

Riding an Indian-made 500cc single cylinder Royal Enfield bike, dad-of-two daughters Ronnie will be one of 25 riders from all over Britain traversing the ‘Roof of the World’.

He has paid the £4000 costs of the trip himself and hopes to raise a total of £10,000 to be split between the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust and St Andrew’s Hospice.

Ronnie’s trip will take him up to altitudes of 16,000 feet, through ‘mountain deserts’ and along steep precipices and the edges of ice-cold rivers.

The riders will be sleeping in tents, ancient monasteries and hostels... and facing temperatures at night down to freezing

Ronnie said: “There are risks attached, such as altitude sickness which can develop into serious conditions.

“We will also have to concentrate all the time because of the state of the roads. “

Accompanying the bikers will be a GP, paramedic and surgeon - underlining the dangers of the trip.

Three police colleagues influenced Ronnie’s choice of charities to benefit from his marathon motor cycle.

Lanark couple chief inspector David Gardner and his wife Elaine, an inspector, are mourning the death of their 12-year-old daughter Kim.

The Hamilton College pupil died two weeks ago after battling a brain tumour for three years.

Ronnie said: “Kim fought for the duration of her illness, and people were constantly amazed by her high spirits and humour.

“I decided at the end of last year to do something for charity and opted for the Sandra Dickson Trust because they are the United Kingdom charity that put most towards reseach into brain tumours, particularly among children.”

He was influenced towards raising money for St Andrew’s Hospice by Lanark cop Kenny Rogerson.

“Kenny lost both parents to cancer within a year and they were both looked after by St Andrew’s Hospice,” explained Ronnie. “It brought a lot of comfort to the family.”

Ronnie, a keen biker who owns a Kawasaki ZZR 1400cc, admits that there are area quieter ways he could have chosen to begin his retirement.

He is, however, looking forward to the challenge.

“It has been a hectic few days making the final arrangements, but I am beginning to calm down now,” he explained.

“Kate has more worries than I do, but this was something I always wanted to do and one of the few ways I could make money for charity.

“I couldn’t run a marathon and I don’t have the body hair for a sponsored chest wax, but I can ride a motor bike.”

Ronnie is already £4000 towards his target and if you want to contribute, log onto his website www.itsalongwaydown.co.uk

Follow Ronnie’s journey through his daily blog on our website.