Lifelong Hibs’ fan Hugh Cockburn has just completed stage three of his quest to cycle to every football ground in Scotland by visiting, Dunfermline, Cowdenbeath, Raith, East Fife, Alloa, Stirling Albion, Stenhousemuir and Falkirk.
He is now half way through his ambitious plan having completed 21 of the 42 stadium visits.
So far he had travelled 495 miles.
Hugh lives in Sunderland but travels up to see his beloved Hibs whenever possible and he has been made welcome by fellow fans at the St Patrick’s Hibs Supporters Branch.
Last year fellow member Shaun McKinley sadly passed away following a brave fight against cancer and Hugh is completing his quest in Shaun’s memory with all money raised going to Sarcoma Cancer UK.
Hugh told the Edinburgh Reporter: ” Three of my biggest passions, away from family, are Hibs, cycling and my membership of the St.Pats Branch. When I heard Shaun had cancer I was devastated for him and his lovely family. Since contacting ‘Big G’ (Gordon McKinley, Shaun’s father) to enquire about joining the Branch, I have been met with nothing but kindness, support and wonderful friendship from mainly Gordon but also all people associated with the Branch. I consider many of them as close friends. The branch epitomises the Hibs theme of ‘Family’.
“I attended Shaun’s funeral and the turnout was amazing and I realised then that I wanted to do something to ‘honour’ him and the McKinley family. It has been in the back of my mind to attempt to cycle to all the senior Football grounds in Scotland but the logistics and ‘time away’ from family is a concern. All stages will be in memory of Shaun, as the banner says, “Shaun McKinley, live forever”
The cycle is a sponsored event in aid of cancer, so if you can, please give any contribution by visiting the St Patrick’s Branch website and mark your donation Hugh’s Shaun McKinley cancer appeal.
Donations can also be made on Shaun’s Just Giving page.
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.
