Cricketers cycle across Scotland in memory of Con de Lange

Scotland International cricketers Craig Wallace and Ali Evans are touring the country this week to raise funds for a charity close to their hearts.
In the saddle...Craig Wallace and Ali Evans prepare for Cycle4Con, pictured here at Strathearn. (Pic: Donald MacLeod)In the saddle...Craig Wallace and Ali Evans prepare for Cycle4Con, pictured here at Strathearn. (Pic: Donald MacLeod)
In the saddle...Craig Wallace and Ali Evans prepare for Cycle4Con, pictured here at Strathearn. (Pic: Donald MacLeod)

Their mammoth 672-mile cycle will raise funds for Brain Tumour Research in memory of former Scotland international Con de Lange, who sadly died, aged 38, in April 2019.

Craig and Ali originally planned to visit cricket grounds and clubs key to Con de Lange’s career across the UK.

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However, in light of Covid-19, they recalculated their route to take in cricket clubs across Scotland where Con played, while also taking in a few places important to the de Lange family.

In his memory...Con de Lange sadly died, aged just 38, in April 2019, two years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. (Pic: Donald MacLeod)In his memory...Con de Lange sadly died, aged just 38, in April 2019, two years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. (Pic: Donald MacLeod)
In his memory...Con de Lange sadly died, aged just 38, in April 2019, two years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. (Pic: Donald MacLeod)

Their cycle started yesterday (Friday) and will end on Friday, October 9.

While the route is still being finalised, Craig and Ali plan to visit Aberdeen, Arbroath, St Andrews, Falkland and Meigle before heading to a number of clubs in Edinburgh and finishing in Glasgow and Paisley.

The journey will cover 672 miles – Con’s International Cap number – to mark his contribution to cricket and sport in general throughout his career, while also raising funds to help Brain Tumour Research and the condition which took his life so untimely.

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Con took ill while away on Scotland duty at the end of 2017. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour but fought hard against it for 16 months.

Craig said: “Ali and I have decided to do this because of the heartbreak Con and his family suffered.

“Imagine living your life normally, with a sore head now and again, and a year later sadly passing away. Brain tumours are truly horrible and Con, because of the man he was, fought it for so long.

“In many cases, people are given months, weeks or days to live when they are diagnosed, often before they’re 40.

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“Con was the best man I’ve ever met and it hurts me so much he was taken from his wife Claire and children Rory and Daisy so early.

“I want to do this to try to find a cure so it doesn’t take any more good people away too soon.

“This is just a way for us to say thank you to Con for being in our lives. He would have helped anyone else that might have been unlucky enough to suffer from this disease.”

Brain tumours kill more people under the age of 40 than any other cancer but receive just one per cent of the national research spend.

Craig and Ali have already raised more than £5000. To help boost that tally, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/craig-wallace4.

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