Two workmates cycled 100 miles around all 80 sculptures on the Maggie’s Penguin Parade in a bid to raise funds for the cancer charity.
Michelin employees Sam Holmes, 35, and Steven Esposito, 39, set off from Perth at six o’clock yesterday morning, aiming to visit Dundee, Newport, St Andrews, Broughty Ferry, Monifieth, Carnoustie and Kirriemuir before completing the route in Brechin.
Before starting the journey, Sam said: “I’m really excited to see all of the penguins and raise as much money as we can.
“I’ve never covered as many miles in one day as we will on this route so it will be a challenge for us but we both enjoy a challenge so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Last year Sam and Steven cycled more than 750 miles over 12 days from Dundee to Clermont-Ferrand in France and raised over £7,000 for charity Mary’s Meals.
As part of yesterday’s journey, the Carnoustie men visited 4 Seasons in One Day” outside St Paul’s Cathedral in Dundee, the penguin sponsored by Michelin.
The pair have already raised £355 but have set themselves an ambitious target of £1,500.
Maggie’s has been chosen as the charity of the year at Michelin and a number of activities will take place to support the cause alongside the Penguin Parade.
Annie Long, Maggie’s Dundee centre fundraising manager said: “Maggie’s Dundee relies entirely on charitable donations and the money raised by initiatives like Sam and Steven’s to find the £540,000 per year it takes to run our centre.
“Thanks so much for this tremendous effort.”
The colony of colourful penguins are dotted around Courier Country.
The original designs, by artists from across the region, range from pop culture characters such as Frankenstein’s monster or Yoda from Star Wars, to homages to history and more abstract concepts.
A handy trail map helps to track down the birds, which will be here for summer, before they go on auction on September 24.
To donate to Sam and Steven’s cycling efforts, visit their Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/penguinparadepedal.
