A member of Police Scotland’s support staff is helping support military veterans with a gruelling European bike ride.
Martin Burnett, who works on the security desk at Fettes Police Station in Edinburgh, is joining long-time friend Willie Malloy to undertake a ‘Rome to Home’ cycle challenge during the summer.
Martin and Willie have been friends since serving together in the 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) as teenagers over 30-years-ago and have previously ridden the length and breadth of Britain to raise money for Erskine’s.
In 2014, the pair cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats and donated their £3,500 sponsorship funds to the veterans support organisation.
Both are now gearing up for the mammoth 1,500-mile journey, which starts at the Coliseum on August 1st before heading through the Austrian Alps, Germany, the Netherlands and England.
They will have to cycle between 70 and 90 miles each day through some of the most challenging terrains in Europe.
Martin and Willie will then begin their home leg – a 20 mile cycle from Gifford to Erskine’s Edinburgh base in Gilmerton on 20th August.
While this is a daunting challenge, Martin is relishing the opportunity to raise more money for a worthwhile cause.
Martin said: “Around five years ago Willie and I cycled 250 miles from Zeebrugge to Paris and this sparked our interest in long-distance riding to raise money for charity.
“We were delighted to have raised so much during our Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge and want to go further this time – both in the miles we will cover and the amount of money we want to secure for Erskine’s.
“Erskine’s provides vital care and support to veterans who have given so much for their country and we want to make sure they can continue to deliver the range of services they currently offer.
“Any donations the public wish to make will all be very gratefully received.”
If you would like to support Martin and Wille then please visit www.justgiving.com/rome2home2016 or text Erskine Cycle to 70707 and donate £3.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
