A WHITHORN minister is getting on his bike to celebrate his birthday and fundraise for charity.
Reverend Alex Currie will be marking his 65th birthday later this month by cycling from Saint Ninian’s Isle in Shetland, the most northerly reference to Scotland’s earliest Christian saint, to St Ninian’s Priory Church in Whithorn – covering a distance of 300 miles over the course of four days to fundraise for The Vine Trust.
Rev Currie explained: “I have been a part of the Vine Trust for several years now and they do some amazing work in Peru and Tanzania, running medical expeditions aboard the medical ships and building
“I’ve been to Tanzania a few times and know first hand what kind of impact they have on communities, so if there’s something I can do to help out and add some money to the pot, it’s worth doing.”
Alex will set off on his adventure to Shetland on May 24 where he will spend a couple days gearing up for his big cycle before setting off for the ferry to Aberdeen, then on to Dundee, Edinburgh, Castle Douglas and home to Whithorn by May 31.
During his journey the reverend intends to be completely self-reliant on the roads and will stay with family along his route. But as a keen cyclist he is looking forward to being out on the road.
He added: “I’m known for being out and about on my bike a lot, I went out the other day for the first time in a while and managed 45 miles so that’s a pretty good sign. But I think my wife is looking forward to getting me out of the house for a few days.
“I’m looking forward to being out on my bike because the route I’ve got planned has got some stunning views along the Reivers route and by the Beeftub when I come back into D and G.
“So far everyone in Whithorn and Creetown has been very supportive, I took a couple of my sponsor sheet to the church and people were generous and donated, so far I’ve raised between £300-£400 which is great.”
To donate to the fundraiser visit JustGiving.com and search ‘Alexander Currie’.
