Our very own Aberdeen-based Derek Mitchell is taking on the challenge of travelling from Lands’ End to John o’ Groats to raise money for two North-East charities. Riding his Honda C90 scooter Derek will cover more than 1000 miles of road. In the process he will be raising vital funds for Charlie House and The Leeanne Fund. Charlie House supports babies, children and young people with complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions and their families in the North-East of Scotland. The Leanne Fund is dedicated to making a difference to the lives of young people with cystic fibrosis.
Talking about his upcoming adventure, Derek, Yard Supervisor for John Lawrie Metals, said:
“I had originally planned to do the trip to mark my 50th birthday last year so it’s exciting to finally be counting down to setting off. I’ll be hitting the road on Monday 24th May on my Honda C90. It has a top speed of 55mph and a tank range of about 90 miles so there will be a few stops along the 1000+ mile route. I’ll be followed by a support team and there may even be a surprise visitor popping up en route. I’m hoping to complete the journey in less than four days. I would like to thank every person and business, including my employer John Lawrie, that has supported me so far, I’m delighted with the donations received and of course the generous time my support crew have and will give me throughout the challenge. This trip couldn’t be done on my own so I’m really grateful for everyone’s support.”
Donna Deans, Fundraising Co-Ordinator at Charlie House added: “There have been rumours that Charlie Dog is going away for a few days so it’s quite possible that he might show up somewhere between Lands’ End and John o’ Groats to support Derek as he takes on this challenge.
“We’re grateful to Derek, and others like him, who continue to think of others and raise money for charity. Their support is incredibly important to us, it helps us to continue our work providing much needed support to babies, children and young people and their families.”
Referring to his decision to support Charlie House, Derek added: “I went to a Charlie House Ball in 2019 and was really impressed by the powerful work the charity does. Quite simply I couldn’t ignore the need to do my bit to support them. I have already exceeded my initial target of raising £5,000 and hope to raise even more to benefit the families Charlie House and The Leanne Fund support.”
The funds raised will enable Charlie House to continue its work and to support babies, children and young people with complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions and their families in the North-East of Scotland. Charlie House has a range of services and fundraising activities including The Big Build Appeal, a public fundraising campaign to raise £8million for a specialist support centre being built on the grounds of Woodend Hospital. The centre will have 8-bedrooms, with additional family accommodation, set in 4 acres of ground. The state-of-the-art building will feature a sensory room, library, spa pool, craft room, teen den, soft play area, therapy room, star room, for end-of-life care & bereavement, outdoor play area and sensory gardens as well as adaptable meeting space and office space for the Charlie House team and medical staff.
The Leanne Fund is the foremost Cystic Fibrosis charity working with individuals and families across the Highlands, Islands and Grampian regions of Scotland providing vital social, practical, emotional and financial assistance that supports the whole family. There is no other Cystic Fibrosis organisation that provides the range of services they do, and recently had 10 years of The Leanne Fund marked in the Scottish Parliament with a motion put forward by Isles MSP Alasdair Allan.
Mr Allan congratulated the charity for the significant achievements in providing support to those with Cystic Fibrosis and their families across the Highlands and Islands and Grampian regions.
To donate to Derek Mitchell’s fundraiser, visit his Virgin Money Giving Page at:
