Nearly 20 exhausted cyclists arrived in the north-east yesterday, halfway through a challenge which has so far raised about £35,000 in memory of young schoolboy.
The 450-mile Cycle for Sam challenge was first held last year as Stonehaven lad Sam Dorrance battled a brain tumour.
He died a year ago aged just five, and his family decided to hold the event again to mark the anniversary to raise cash for the Brain Tumour Charity.
Yesterday, 17 cyclists and their support crew rolled into the coastal town, finishing up the second day of the route, which takes them from Carlisle to the Mearns and back again.
The group, led by Sam’s uncle Colin, crossed the midway point at the railway station, where a memorial bench to the train mad youngster is situated.
Yesterday, he said the cyclists – which has been stopping at train stations throughout the route – had been overwhelmed by the response from the public so far.
He said: “We’re hoping the main fund will be well over £100,000 which is poignant because it’s a year since Sam died.
“We are hopeful that we will pick up a lot more donations after we’re done once people see what we’re doing.
“But people have been really kind to us along the way.
“They have been coming up to us when they see the Brain Tumour Charity sign and have given us money.
“It’s been heartening and touching to see, there was a collection at Carlisle and that raised about £660 alone.
“It’s been phenomenal and it’s a fitting legacy.”
Sam Dorrance was only four when he was diagnosed with cancer and succumbed last year after battling the aggressive brain tumour for 11 months.
His parents, Tanya and Graeme, started fundraising when he first became ill and have so far managed to raise £70,000 towards the Super Sam Fund which is part of the Brain Tumour Charity and a further £30,000 for other childhood organisations.
To donate to the cycling fund, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cycle-for-sam