'We aren't cyclists' - Beith friends get set for charity bike ride to Munich
Mark Shannon and Stewart Duncan are taking on the challenge to watch Scotland at the Euros, in memory of Mark's sister who died from cancer
Last updated 15th May 2024
A Beith man says he will use the memory of his late sister to drive him on during his one thousand-mile cycling challenge from Ayrshire to Euro 2024 in Germany.
Mark Shannon and best friend Stewart Duncan will head to Munich on two wheels from the North Ayrshire town to raise money for the foundation Mark started for his sister Claire, who passed away 18 years ago with cancer.
The pair will cycle to North Shields in Tyne and Wear before hopping on a ferry to Amsterdam to finish off in Munich, where Scotland will face hosts Germany in the opening match of the tournament.
And, despite Mark insisting both he and pal Stewart “aren’t cyclists,” the 30-year-old says he has an overwhelming sense of pride in raising money for the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, formally known as Yorkhill Children's Charity.
"Yorkhill helped my mum and dad and myself through that hard time"
He said: “Unfortunately Claire passed away in 2006 after a year and a bit of battling cancer.
“I was maybe 12 at the time, and Glasgow Children’s Hospital at Yorkhill helped my mum and dad and myself through that hard time.
“Claire lost her battle in October 2006 and after that, ever since, me and my pals have been doing fundraising.”
The pals will set off on June 3rd with the aim to be in Munich by June 13th, where they plan to toast completing the challenge by going to podcast Open Goal’s event there.
So far, after Mark started the Claire Shannon Foundation, he has managed to raise more than £9,500.
Mark and Stewart only got bikes in January
He added: “Both of us aren’t cyclists at all. It is a new hobby taking up for us. Both of us just got bikes at the end of January.
“I’d set up the foundation last year in my sister’s name and we always come up with a fundraiser each year, and Stewart thought this would be a good one to grab some attention with the Euros and take advantage of that and raise some money for the charity.”
The duo don’t have tickets to Scotland’s match but say they plan to find a fanzone somewhere and enjoy the Bavarian beer.
Mark finished: “We’re under no illusions it’s going to be tough doing it.
“But the charity itself just drives you on, and just keeping Claire’s legacy going is motivation enough.
“Mum and Dad are proud, but they weren’t too happy when I said I was cycling to Germany, considering I don’t cycle.”