A host of Scottish stars from the worlds of screen, sport and
politics have thrown their support behind The Prostate Cancer
Charity's Tour Ride in Scotland.
Football legend Kenny Dalglish, former Liberal Party leader and
Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Lord Steel, former
Taggart co-stars, John Michie and Blythe Duff, and Scottish rugby
internationalist Chris Cusiter are urging cyclists throughout
Scotland to sign up for the Tour Ride cycling event, which is
taking place between Peebles and Dumfries on Sunday 4
September.
The exciting and challenging cycling event offers people the
chance to ride an official stage of the Tour of Britain whilst
raising funds to fight the most common cancer in men in the UK.
Scotland's most capped player and joint record international
goal scorer, Kenny Dalglish MBE, has thrown his support behind the
Tour Ride. 'King Kenny', who has been inducted to both the Scottish
and English Football Hall of Fame and named as the greatest striker
of any nationality to have graced British football in the post war
era, said: "Well done, and the best of luck, to everyone who is
signing up for The Prostate Cancer Charity's Scottish tour ride.
Cycling's a great way to take exercise at any age, and the Borders
are a great place to ride for such a good cause."
Lord David Steel, a committed supporter of the Charity, who was
diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer in 2001, added: "I am
delighted that The Prostate Cancer Charity's Tour Rides are coming
to Scotland for the first time this year. It promises to be a
really exciting event and I encourage all cyclists to get on their
bikes and raise money for such an important cause. Prostate cancer
is a lot more common than people may think, and it's great to see
events like this coming to Scotland to help us raise awareness of
the disease."
John Michie, who made his name in Taggart as DI Robbie Ross, and
is currently playing Karl Munro in Coronation Street, said: "The
Prostate Cancer Charity is a great cause and this Tour Ride is a
great way of putting the focus on health. You'll have to be fit to
tackle this borders route, but what an achievement when you
complete the challenge. My best wishes to everyone who signs
up."
Blythe Duff, who starred alongside John Michie in Taggart as
Jackie Reid said: "The Scottish Tour Ride is a fantastic route - I
quite envy the riders the scenery, fresh air and challenge,
although I don't envy them some of the hills! Completing a 170 or
even a 70km ride will be quite a feat, but I'd say go for it! What
a sense of satisfaction when you cross that finish line, especially
knowing you're supporting The Prostate Cancer Charity's vital work
as well."
Glasgow Warriors, Scotland and British & Irish Lions star
Chris Cusiter - who lost his father Stan to prostate cancer last
year - said: "I would strongly encourage people all across the
country to get right behind this excellent event. It will be a
great day out in its own right, but those taking part will also
know they are doing their bit to raise funds for the fight against
prostate cancer - the most common cancer in men in Scotland."
For the first time, cyclists in The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour
Ride will have the opportunity to take on the challenge of the
Scottish stage of The Tour of Britain, riding through the Scottish
Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, replicating the 170 kilometre
opening stage of The Tour in the Pro Ride. The shorter Challenge
Ride takes place over the final 70 kilometres of the stage over
rolling roads in Dumfries and Galloway to give a taste of how the
opening day of The Tour of Britain will pan out.
The Charity launched the events three years ago, and they have
gone from strength to strength. More than 4,500 people took to two
wheels last year, raising over £500,000 in doing so.
Speaking about the upcoming Scotland Tour Ride, Katie Robbins,
Tour of Britain Project Manager at The Prostate Cancer Charity,
says: "We are excited about bringing the Tour Ride to Scotland for
the first time and I hope that people with an interest in cycling
will get on their bikes to raise awareness of prostate cancer and
funds for the Charity.
"Over the past three years, The Prostate Cancer Charity has
developed strong links with professional and amateur cyclists
through our partnership with The Tour of Britain which have been
invaluable in helping us to get many more people thinking about the
disease."