A parent of three boys ( Ben, Robbie and William ) is going to raise funds for our PTA and Nepal Schools Trust appeal by cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats on Saturday 15th January.The distance is 941 miles!

Donald Mcleod is going to carry his gear and camp for 50% of his journey. He travels down to Penzance tomorrow which is approximately 9 hours.Cornwall and Devon are notoriously hilly with lots of ups and downs! If you wish to follow him on his journey, which will take about two weeks, you need to check on this website regularly for information.

The Plan:

The following itinery is a rough estimate of possible progress which may be hampered/assisted by wind direction/ice/snow/lack of fitness/getting lost/cycle lights and/or tyres going flat etc etc etc. It may take longer!.

Day 1. Lands End - Launceston = 80mls.

Day 2. Launceston - Holsworthy - Taunton = 80mls.
Getting towards some flatter topography?

Day 3. Taunton - Cheddar Gorge - Severn Bridge - Monmouth = 85mls.
Looking out for the very rare tree, Wilmott's Whitebeam in Cheddar Gorge for Ben!

Day 4. Monmouth - Ludlow - Nantwich = 100mls.

Day 5. Nantwich - Kendal = 112mls.
Starting to stretch the legs!

Day 6. Kendal - Dumfries - Cumnock = 127mls.
Hilly too!

Day 7. Cumnock - Gourock ferry to Dunoon - Oban = 128mls.
The ferry travels south west to Dunoon so no ground gained but the worst of Scottish traffic avoided!

Day 8. Oban - Inverness = 110mls.
Following the Great Glen fault which splits Scotland in two. I'll be watching out for the Loch Ness monster!
.
Day 9. Inverness - John O'Groats = 119mls.
At last!!
Total = 941 miles ish

Distances are far from exact and roughly worked out using an internet site.

Why is Donald doing this journey? Due to the fact he tore his achilles tendon in June 2010 and he needs to lose some weight and raise funds for Rowlands Gill PTA and Nepal Schools Trust Funds appeal.

Our PTA works hard to raise funds to provide our children with educational opportunities all children should have.

Nepal Schools Trust was set up by a good friend of mine in 2008. Its a charity working to help children and their schools in the Pragatinager village district, a farming community in Nawalparasi region at the foot of the Himalayas in Nepal. There are 9 primary schools, 4 secondary schools and two higher secondary schools in the district. The Nepali Government endeavours to provide education to all primary aged children. At this time, it can only provide about half the funds that are needed. This leaves the villages to find their own money to build and/or equip the schools and pay extra teachers.

- £25 buys a years education for a nursery age child
- £50 buys a years education for a child in Year 7
- £250 pays an extra teacher for a year at the "local" rate
- £1500-£2500 builds a new classroom

For more information, visit;

www.nepalschoolstrust.org.uk

GOOD LUCK TO DONALD!!