Lachlan takes the high road in memory of grandad he never met

Lachlan Ferguson, who’s 16, a pupil at Merchiston Castle School, never got to meet his grandfather, but they both shared a passion for sport, so Lachlan felt that a sporting challenge was a fitting tribute.

Over three days this week, Lachlan – with school friends Matthew DeVilliersand Douglas Henderson-Pratt– cycled the 120 miles from Selkirk to Loch Lomond, where they ran more than 30 miles around the loch, before cycling back to Selkirk, a total of nearly 300 miles.

Lachlan said: “It’s really sad that I never got to meet my grandad, but I know how important sport was to him. I wanted to raise money in his memory to help make sure other families don’t lose loved ones at such a young age.

“Thank you to everyone for their support so far.”

The charity he chose to help is the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland, setting a target of £1,500.

However, a tired Lachlan, speaking back home in Selkirk yesterday, said that during the run donations had poured in.

He said: “It’s now at £4,585, which is great. I never expected it to reach anything like that total. I’d like to thank everyone who has donated.

“It was a good experience overall. The second day, running aruond the loch, was tough though, it really took it out of us.”

The cycle home on Tuesday was managed in a time of nine hours.

Lachlan’s fundraising efforts come at a time when the charity says it needs the public’s support more than ever.

James Jopling, head of BHF Scotland, said: “We are so grateful to Lachlan, Matthew and Dougie for their fantastic efforts and for taking on this challenge to help us at this critical time.

“The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is the biggest challenge the BHF has ever faced.

“At a time when our research is needed most, our income has been devastated by the closure of our shops during lockdown and the cancellation and postponement of fundraising events.

“Covid-19 has put people with heart and circulatory conditions at greater risk than everm, but the effect of the virus has also cut our research in half so we need urgent help from our wonderful supporters.”

To donate, visit https://bit.ly/37qlyQF