A cycle challenge in memory of The Forthquarter project manager aims to raise 25,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
A team of intrepid cyclists have undertaken an epic journey from John
O’Groats to Lands End in memory of Mark Rylance of National Grid who
passed away in September 2010.
Mark was project manager at The Forthquarter project in Granton for a
number of years before being diagnosed with cancer
A key member of the Waterfront Partnership Board Mark ensured National
Grid were active partners in joint initiatives including the
Waterfront Accord – a project to help local people benefit from the
jobs and opportunities being created and provided land and office
accommodation for the Waterfront Recruitment Centre.
Mark was also keen to ensure that the local community should benefit from the regeneration and actively encouraged groups and organisations to make
use of the Forthquarter Park. The ride, taking the least popular route from North to South, will cover 976 miles in 14 stages and be completed over 14 days.
The journey aims to take the most scenic route via quieter roads through
many of the UK’s most picturesque areas such as Altnaharra, Glencoe,
the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales., Wye Valley and SW Coastal areas.
Members of the team undertaking the Scottish leg of the challenge
include Fiona McKenzie of National Grid, Neil Fyfe of WYG
Environmental based in George Street and Ann Confrey of Proscot PR
based in Leith.
All three have been involved in The Forthquarter project since the initial clean up of this former gasworks as well as being involved in a variety of other Scottish site remediation projects.
National Grid remediation manager Fiona McKenzie said: “Those who
worked with Mark remember his warm smile and sense of mischief. He
would certainly be smiling if he could have seen his colleagues
setting off in the rain wearing multi-coloured lycra!”
The team aim to complete the ride in 14 days and have been keeping a
blog during the challenge with lots of photographs showing the many
highlights of the journey.
See how they are doing at http://markrylancechallenge.wordpress.com
Help the team reach their goal by donating at
http://www.justgiving.com/TheMarkRylanceChallenge