Edinburgh youth aims to cycle West Highland Way in 24 hours for charity

Cameron Hutchison, 13, is taking on the gruelling challenge to raise money for Mary’s Meals

A young teenager from Edinburgh is aiming to cycle the West Highland Way in just 24 hours for charity later this month.

Cameron Hutchison, 13, and his dad, Colin, 55, are taking on the challenge on mountain bikes for international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals, in the last week of June.

Mary’s Meals, founded in a shed in the Scottish Highlands, provides a daily school meal to more than 2.4 million children in 17 of the world’s poorest countries including Haiti, Malawi and Syria. The promise of a nutritious meal encourages children to the classroom where education is key to a brighter future.

Cameron plans to support the charity by cycling the 96-mile (154 km) route from Milngavie to the foot of Ben Nevis in Fort William, with 4,312 m (12,143 ft) of ascent along the way, non-stop.

Kind-hearted Cameron says: “I really enjoy riding my bike and I love that Mary’s Meals supports the world’s poorest children. Doing something for charity always makes me feel better but also reminds me of how fortunate I am.

“Hikers normally take between four and seven days to complete the trail or three to four days to complete it by bike. I’ll be aiming to cycle the whole route in just one day. My little legs are going to be working hard!”

Throughout June, Mary’s Meals is running its annual active challenge, From Dalmally To Malawi. By signing up to the challenge, participants will take part in a virtual journey from Dalmally, the village in the Highlands of Scotland where Mary’s Meals was founded – only 12 miles away to the closest point on the West Highland Way – to Malawi, where the charity served its first life-changing school meals. 

People can take part in From Dalmally To Malawi in any way they choose, whether walking, running, swimming or cycling, like Cameron. The money raised through sponsorship from family and friends will help to feed hungry children living in the world’s poorest countries.

The charity hopes people will be inspired by Cameron to add their miles for From Dalmally To Malawi, this month.

Dan McNally, Head of Grassroots Engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “What an inspiration young Cameron is! Not only is he attempting a really tough challenge, but he’s also raising money to better the lives of hungry children. No matter how he finds the West Highland Way, Cameron can hold his head high thanks to his fantastic fundraising.

“We’re not asking you to take on such a difficult challenge, why not get active for Mary’s Meals this month too? Whichever way you want to move, if you sign up for From Dalmally To Malawi, your miles will help us reach our cumulative team goal!”

To sign up for From Dalmally To Malawi, please visit: 

www.marysmeals.org.uk/dalmally-to-malawi 

To donate to Cameron’s fundraiser for Mary’s Meals, please visit: 

www.justgiving.com/page/cameron-hutchison-whw24hours 

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davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer