Posted: Friday 8 August 2008
Teacher Cycles from Glasgow to Turin - for Cystic Fibrosis
Hutchesons' Grammar teacher Donald Paton didn't spend any of his Summer holiday in the check-in queue.
Instead he cycled from Glasgow to Turin, Italy, to raise funds for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust. That may seem extreme form of travel, but Donald, who is a computing teacher and a resident of Thornliebank, has a granddaughter with Cystic Fibrosis.
"Abigail is only nine, but I've already seen what the Trust has done to help her and her family. I wanted to do my bit," said Donald, as he prepared to leave from George Square on 5 July. Abigail needs twice daily physiotherapy sessions and medication, as well as regular hospital visits.
Baillie Iris Gibson was on hand to make sure Donald had a letter from Provost Bob Winter to deliver to his counterpart, Mayor Ciamparino of Turin, which is one of Glasgow' official twin cities.
On his 1116 km journey through Scotland, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italy, Donald was accompanied by Laura Howie, Abigail's aunt, and four other supportive friends. They crossed the Alps over the 2469m St Bernard's Pass and arrived in Turin on 19 July.
Donald was met by his wife in Turin and they returned to Glasgow by train!
Cystic Fibrosis affects the mucus glands of the lungs, liver, pancreas, and intestines, causing breathing difficulties. Most people with the illness can expect to live only until their twenties or thirties.
www.justgiving.com/turinbybike