Tag: Mark Beaumont

TEN-ACIOUS SPIRIT!

Stars mark STV Children’s Appeal’s 10th birthday by taking on variety of ten-themed challenges

  • Appeal announces 10XChallenge fundraiser – with Scots encouraged to take on their own challenge or event inspired by the number ‘10’
  • STV stars Sean Batty and Sophie Wallace joined by group of 10-year-olds to launch new fundraiser
  • STV marks a decade of its charity appeal, which has raised over £25 million and transformed the lives of thousands of children living in poverty

The STV Children’s Appeal is celebrating its 10th birthday this year and, to mark a decade of supporting young people affected by poverty in Scotland, an exciting new fundraiser – the 10XChallenge – has been launched today.

STV’s Sean Batty and Sophie Wallace were joined by a group of 10-year-olds for a joint birthday celebration and to announce the 10XChallenge, sponsored by Tunnock’s, which calls on the nation to take part in their own challenge or event inspired by the number ‘10’ over ten days (10-19 September).

Weatherman Sean has vowed to take on a 10K run as part of the new fundraiser, while STV News presenter Sophie will challenge herself to try out ten very different occupations.

The six children joining them today – l-r: Robbie Sawatzky, Jonah McGinnis, Maya Barcella, Sophia Barcella, Lily Stevenson and Sam Couper – are planning a variety of challenges, such as cycling ten laps of a local reservoir and reading ten books across the 10-day period.

World record-holding cyclist Mark Beaumont will run 10K accompanied by his eight-year-old daughter Harriet on her bike, whilst comedian Janey Godley will take part in a hilarious 10-day social media voiceover challenge.

The STV Children’s Appeal was launched in 2011 by STV and The Hunter Foundation to improve the lives of the one in four children who live in poverty in Scotland.

Through various fundraisers and an annual telethon hosted by long-time trustee Lorraine Kelly, the Appeal has since raised over £25 million, which has helped provide food and warm clothing, created opportunities for training and employability, and enabled social and emotional support across the country.

Sean Batty said: “Where have the last ten years gone? I’ve been involved with the STV Children’s Appeal right from the very start and I’m constantly humbled by the incredible stories of the lives it has helped turn around across the country.

“Child poverty is still a major issue in Scotland though, and the pandemic has only exacerbated it.

“I’m looking forward to slipping on my running shoes in September and joining the Appeal’s many generous supporters in doing our bit to change kids’ lives.”

Sophie Wallace said: “I was quite wee myself when the STV Children’s Appeal was first launched, and I’ve grown up watching the amazing work it does for children in communities throughout Scotland.

“The Appeal’s charity partners need our help now more than ever, and that’s why I’m super excited to be taking on my 10XChallenge and raising lots of cash for such an important cause. I hope you can join me!”

The STV Children’s Appeal’s 10XChallenge takes place between 10-19 September.

Visit stv.tv/appeal to sign up and download a 10XChallenge pack with tips and ideas for fundraising.

Pictures: Kirsty Anderson

Letters: Support Mary’s Meals and Make a Difference

Dear Editor,

I’d like to make your readers aware of a unique opportunity to make a big difference to the lives of hungry children in the world’s poorest countries this summer.

For anyone who becomes a monthly giver to global school feeding charity Mary’s Meals before the end of August, their first three donations will be tripled, meaning the impact of their regular gifts will go even further.

This is thanks to a group of generous supporters who are making funds available up to £100,000 for tripling donations from new regular givers for a limited period.

Your readers can help Mary’s Meals to access all the available funds by setting up a monthly Direct Debit by 31 August here. (marysmeals.org.uk/tripled).

Mary’s Meals feeds more than 1.8 million hungry children in 19 countries every school day.

This funding boost will bring fresh hope to families struggling amidst the continuing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has hit the world’s poorest countries especially hard, and will also help Mary’s Meals in its goal to reach two million children with a nutritious meal every school day.

I am proud to support Mary’s Meals and hope that this summer your readers can take advantage of this incredible opportunity to see their kindness go three times as far.

MARK BEAUMONT, 

Long-distance cyclist, broadcaster and author.

Police launch Pedal Protect bike theft campaign

Police Scotland has launched a national campaign to tackle the rising number of bike thefts taking place across the country and to raise awareness of bike security within the cycling community.

Pedal Protect officially kicked yesterday (Friday 26 March), to address the increasing trend in bike thefts, which has been experienced throughout Scotland in the past year. It will also be supported by British Transport Police.

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and downward trend in various acquisitive crime offences, Police Scotland’s year to date figures in February 2021 showed over 4900 reports of stolen cycles were made. This is a rise of 18% from the previous year.

Often these crimes are motivated by opportunity, with those responsible taking advantage of poor or non-existent security measures in place when leaving bikes unattended, or storing them within sheds, garages and other outbuildings.

The launch of Pedal Protect took place at Fettes Police Station, where officers highlighted the significant number of lost and stolen bikes that come into police possession on a weekly basis.

In order to improve bike security officers across the country will be hosting a range of bike marking events and will publicise these on the Police Scotland social media channels.

In addition, police have been engaging with bike retailers in town and cities and many have now agreed to provide Pedal Protect and Bike Register security information leaflets to customers who purchase a new bike.

Local policing teams will also continue to gather intelligence on bike thefts taking place in their communities, and carry out appropriate enforcement action when required. The public are asked to come forward with any information relating to the theft of bikes within their communities.

Detective Superintendent Matt Paden, Police Scotland Acquisitive Crime Lead, said:  “Across Scotland, cycling is a popular form of transport, as well as a recreational past-time and each year the public spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on buying bikes.

“Despite the significant sums of money people spend on a bike, the amount spent on security pales in comparison. Stealing a bike is often seen as an attractive option for those involved in acquisitive crime, as to do so is normally a quick process, with modest security measures in place, easy to overcome.”

“While bike theft typically takes place to allow thieves to make a quick sale, we now believe more expensive custom bikes are being targeted by organised crime groups so they can be resold for hefty prices, which fund their criminal operations.

“We have launched Pedal Protect because we will be conducting a range of intelligence-led activity to return stolen bikes to their rightful owners, but also to encourage all of those who currently own, or who are considering buying a bike, to invest in appropriate security.

“Our Police Scotland website has a range of useful information on keeping your bike safe available at www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/secure-your-bicycle

“I would also urge anyone who has had a bike lost or stolen to regularly check in with their local policing division and provide all relevant details so we can return as many recovered bikes as possible, often cycles are recovered but no one comes forward to claim them”

Supporting the Pedal Protect campaign is record-breaking Scottish cyclist, Mark Beaumont.

Attending the launch, Mark Beaumont added: “A bike can cost anything from a couple of hundred pounds, to several thousand pounds, but no matter what you pay, the feeling you get when your bike is stolen is the same.

“It’s devastating when a valued possession is taken from you and that’s why it’s so important to make sure you take all the necessary steps to keep your own bike safe.

“I’m really happy that Police Scotland has launched Pedal Protect, because not only are they taking the investigation of any stolen bike seriously, but are working hard to educate the public on how to safeguard their bikes.

“Having been the victim of a bike theft myself, I know how much distress it causes and that’s why I would urge all cyclists to consider the security they currently have in place for their bikes and ask themselves, are these measures sufficient?

“Police Scotland will be promoting their Pedal Protect campaign on a number of channels, including social media, so I’ll be sharing their messaging on my streams too. I really hope this helps raise awareness on bike security and potentially stop any of my followers having their own bikes stolen.”

Endurance cyclist Mark to reveal how he took on the world

ROUND-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont is to share the secrets of his record-breaking success with an Edinburgh audience. Mark, who completed an 18,000-mile route in less than 79 days, is the subject of Edinburgh Napier University’s latest Chancellor Talk. Continue reading Endurance cyclist Mark to reveal how he took on the world

Edinburgh Napier: Mark Beaumont coach gets on her bike for charity

Edinburgh Napier academic to take part in ‘Around the World in a Day’ challenge for STV Appeal

 

An Edinburgh Napier Sport Science academic who helped prepare Mark Beaumont to cycle around the world is getting ready to undertake her own mammoth cycling challenge.

In the lead up to the challenge last year, Edinburgh Napier’s Dr Lesley Ingram worked extensively with the record-breaking cyclist to get him in the shape of his life as he geared up to cycling the 18,000-mile route in just 78 days, 14hours & 40mins.

From completing VO2 max tests to undertaking sessions in the University’s environmental chamber, which mimicked various high temperatures that Mark would face throughout this challenge, Lesley’s work ensured that Mark left no stone unturned in his quest to reach peak physical condition prior to leaving.

And now, Lesley will join Mark and 79 other cyclists as they aim to collectively cycle the same distance that Mark completed in his own challenge – in just one day.

In support of this year’s STV Children’s Appeal, the ‘Around the World in a Day’ challenge will see the cyclists aim to cover an arduous 240 mile route from near Campbeltown in Argyll and Bute to Aberdeen in just 16 hours.

Taking place on 22 September, the intrepid group’s route will see them undertake nearly 3,000 metres worth of climbing as it takes them around the Trossachs National Park and Ben More, before heading through Crieff, Forfar, Brechin before finishing at Aberdeen’s Duthie Park.

The challenge aims to raise £80,000 for the STV Children’s Appeal. The STV Children’s Appeal was launched in 2011 as a response to statistics showing that one in four children and young people in Scotland live in poverty, with over 220,000 affected. In just seven years, the appeal has managed to raise more than £16.3million for a range of worthy causes across the country.

For Lesley, the challenge will see her enter unchartered territory as she swaps her laboratory for her bike to cycle the furthest distance she has ever undertaken.

She said: “I used to be a semi-professional mountain biker and I’ve always cycled in my life but I’ve never ever done anything on this scale before. This is an unknown for me – I’ve never cycled 240 miles. It is daunting but I’m really looking forward to it!

“Our challenge aims to mimic what Mark did in his own Around the World challenge. Our cycling will be broken down into four-hour blocks with 30-minute breaks in between. We are looking to do the 240 miles in around 16 hours at an average speed of 15mph – it is going to be tough!

“I’ve been enjoying my training rides at weekends and back home to Fife after work. Obviously, as a sport scientist, I’m a firm believer that fitness is a must have but for something like this you also need a robust mental strength. I’m fully prepared for the ups and downs the day will bring but I can’t wait to get started and to play my part in raising funds for such a worthwhile cause.”

Lesley’s sponsorship page can be found here. More information on her work with Mark Beaumont as he prepared for his Around the World in 80 Days challenge can be found here.

Around the world in a day: search is on for cyclists to join Mark Beaumont’s charity challenge

Record-breaking Scottish adventurer and cyclist Mark Beaumont is getting ready for a major cross-Scotland challenge in aid of the STV Children’s Appeal, and is inviting cycling fanatics to come along for the ride on Saturday 22 September.

The coast-to-coast cycle will set off at Tayinloan in Argyll, continue through Loch Lomond National Park and the Caingorms, overGlenshee before heading for the finish line in Aberdeen – a gruelling total of 240 miles. This is the same distance Mark averaged daily during his epic cycle round the world in 80 days last year.  

Together, the team of 80 intrepid cyclists will pedal the equivalent of Mark’s incredible feat – taking them ‘around the world in a day’.

Participants are asked to raise a minimum of £240 each for the STV Children’s Appeal, which supports children and young people affected by poverty in Scotland, with the hope of raising as much as £80,000 for the charity.

Mark said: “This stunning route from Argyll to Aberdeen was my last 16-hour training ride before I set out on the world challenge and it holds fond memories – but it is very long and very hilly, so I’ll be impressed by everyone who signs up for this epic day of endurance.

“The STV Children’s Appeal has gone from strength from strength, supporting so many brilliant charities and causes across Scotland. The last time I crossed Scotland for the Appeal I was swimming and running, so cycling has to be easier… right?!

“Thanks to everyone who gets involved and I look forward to riding with you.”

Mari Slavin of the STV Children’s Appeal said: “Mark is a fantastic ambassador for the Appeal and we are all in awe of the gigantic challenge he’s about to take on, together with cyclists from across the country. STV’s cameras will be there – and trying hard to keep up! – to capture the highs and lows of this incredible marathon venture. 

“The Appeal is making a real difference to the lives of children and young people in all corners of Scotland. This year we want to make an even bigger impact and we are so grateful for Mark’s support.”

After a 4am start in Argyll, Mark’s 240-mile cycle route will pass through Tarbert, Lochgilphead, Inveraray, Tyndrum, Crainlarich, Killin, Aberfeldy, Pitlochry, Glenshee, Braemar, Ballater and Peterculter – among many other towns and villages – before finishing in Aberdeen. View the route here: https://www.strava.com/routes/13669194.

If you think you’re up for this epic feat of endurance, get in touch with Mark on

aroundtheworld@thehunterfoundation.co.uk 

 A corporate offer is also available with four-man relay teams invited to enter for a minimum donation of £5,000. 

Can’t face the cycle but still want to be involved? Mark’s team is also looking for volunteer drivers and support crew. Email mark@markbeaumontonline.com for more details. 

Since launching in 2011, the STV Children’s Appeal has raised £16.3 million, with 964 big and small grants awarded to projects across all 32 local authority areas in Scotland, providing much needed support to over 67,000 children. The money raised is distributed to provide practical help like food and warm clothes, create opportunities for training and employability, and enable social and emotional support for those who need it most.