HOPING to raise £500 for charity NERVS, former Grampian police officer (and current charity volunteer rider) Mark Robinson is setting his sights on the popular North Coast 500 - and is planning on completing the entire 516 mile route in one day, and in around 17-18 hours.
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With previous charity fundraisers under his belt - including walking 1 million steps in 23 days for the NHS, and cycling the distance (all 874 miles) between Lands End & John O’Groats on a gym bike at home to raise money for Care of Police Survivors, Mark Robinson and mate Brett Bonas will be setting off from Inverness Castle on the 19th of June.
Mark Robinson said in Evening Express:
“Over the years, I’ve done Lands End to John O’Groats by motorcycle in one day, as well as Lands End to John O’Groats and back to Lands End in just two days.
“In 2012, while serving in Grampian Police, I rode a marked police bike to all 51 of the police force HQ’s at the time on the mainland in 10 days and 3,500 miles for Commando 999.
“The following year, I went to the four furthest most compass points and police memorials for Care of Police Survivors on my motorcycle. And later that year I did a six-hour gym endurance event, lifting 107.84 tons to raise funds for Commando 999 again.
“After Storm Frank (in 2015), I arranged a huge fundraiser for the victims in Ballater and raised just over £16k in one evening. You can see I’m keen to do my bit.”
North Coast 500 in 1 day for Charity
Amusingly, his mate (and former police officer) Brett Bonas is only wanting to join to ‘come along for the ride and take photos’. Which, in fairness, is as good of a reason as any! It is one of the best rides in the UK, after all.
Fuel and hotel will be covered by his current employer, Leiths (Scotland) Ltd, and the blood biking charity NERVS provides free transportation for the Health Service, and is based in Aberdeen.
Judging from the photos, we’d imagine Mark will be completing the journey on a BMW RT, but we could be wrong!
If you’d like to support Mark Robinson on his ride, and get him to his £500 target (and beyond!) head to his Virgin Money Giving fundraising page.
Best of luck to both Mark & Brett from Visordown! Enjoy the ride.
