An employee for Virgin Trains at Carlisle is preparing to take his first Cycling Challenge halfway across the world in India, whilst raising money for charity.
Iain Robison is 29 and is a Virgin Trains Station Announcer. He will be completing his bike ride in March 2018 for Ride India. This is a 450km cycling challenge through Rajasthan (Land of the Kings)
The bike ride will raise money for Railway Children and Rethink Mental Illness, who is Virgin Trains’ Charity Partner.
Iain and three other representatives from Virgin Trains West Coast will be pedaling 450km over six days and will cycle over a variety of grueling terrains in India.
The cycling challenge involves cycling to Jaipur, Rajasthan. The team will be cycling for between 5 and 9 hours a day.
Iain has already on track to cycle 5,000 miles this year – nearly the same distance as Carlisle to Delhi.
The fundraising target is £3,000. The team at Carlisle have produced a calendar of fundraising activities including a car wash and bake sales.
To support Iain and help raise money for Railway Children and Rethink Mental Illness, click here
What did the officials say?
Iain, who lives in Currock with his partner and two children, said: “I’m really excited to be taking to two wheels in India, as part of this great cycling challenge. I’m proud to represent Virgin Trains at Ride India to raise money for Railway Children and Virgin Trains’ charity partner, Rethink Mental Illness, whilst doing something I love. At Virgin Trains, we care about the local communities we serve and here in Carlisle my colleagues have been a great support in helping me to raise hundreds of pounds for charity, whilst giving something back to the local community. I’d like to thank the people of Carlisle who have supported me so far in my fundraising efforts and I look forward to continuing to raise money for two great causes.”
Lisa Fraser-Ashton, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Rethink Mental Illness, said: “We are delighted that Virgin Trains continue to put mental health centre stage across the business by raising awareness, as well as vital funds to help those affected by mental illness. We wish Iain and his colleagues the very best on their cycling trip to India and would like to thank them for choosing Rethink Mental Illness as one of their beneficiaries.”
Railway Children’s Events Manager, Katie Mason, said: “The Ride India challenge is going to be a great adventure and we’re delighted that Iain will be joining us for what promises to be the trip of a lifetime. His fundraising efforts have been brilliant and every penny he raises for us will help in our fight for street children in India, as well as Africa and here in the UK. We have been lucky enough to have had huge support from Virgin Trains over many years and we can’t thank Iain and his colleagues enough for their continued generosity.”
- Visit the Virgin Trains Website
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