A Ninewells doctor is gearing up for an epic cycle challenge in aid of a children’s hospital charity.
Dr Tom Fardon will team up with round-the-world cycling champ Mark Beaumont for the gruelling cross-country ride to raise money for the Archie Foundation.
The 42-year-old, from Carse of Cowrie, said he wanted to do something for the organisation that supported his 13-year-old son Josh after he suffered a bad fall while out walking.
Tom agreed to join a team on a ride from Dundee to the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH), via Inverness.
Archie is the official charity of children’s hospitals in each of the three cities, and Mr Beaumont is the group’s patron.
All money raised by the event will go to help families with travel, food and accommodation costs while their child is being treated in hospital.
Tom, a consultant respiratory physician, said he had “experienced first hand” the work of the charity after his son broke his arm, requiring surgery.
“In January, I learned just how much Archie does. While out mountain biking with my older son Dan, my wife Emma and Josh went for a walk up Scoltie Hill, up in Banchory,” he said.
On the way down, Josh slipped on ice and broke bones in his forearm, requiring surgery to manipulate and wire the fracture.
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“The nearest hospital was RACH, and Archie’s presence was felt throughout the whole journey: from the front door at A&E to the Archie Family Centre where we stayed overnight while Josh recuperated.”
Closer to home, Tom has had a long-standing relationship with the charity and has worked tirelessly to raise funds for Archie’s £2 million children’s theatre suite appeal in Tayside.
Tom has already raised thousands through several challenges such as running the New York Marathon.
As a fitness enthusiast, Tom is relishing the bike ride but is well aware of the challenges he and the rest of the riding team face with 20% inclines on some hills.
“The planned route to get from Ninewells to Raigmore is a tough day in the saddle taking in three of the highest, steepest, and most challenging climbs in the UK,” he said.
“The second day from Raigmore to RACH is slightly shorter, but has perhaps the most stunning scenery through which to climb – the Dufftown to Mossat road is not so well know, but a beautiful road to ride.”
Not content with cycling just the 265 miles, Tom revealed he and some of his fellow Tayside-based participants are planning a third day of riding back to Dundee from Aberdeen to “complete the circuit”.
“It’s another iconic Scottish ride, over Cairn o’Mount from the North then back through Angus to Dundee,” he adds.
“Three days would make 365 miles, or thereabouts, and over 10,000m climbing.”
The ride begins on April 26.
To support Tom and follow his progress visit justgiving.com/archie-ride.
