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Brodick postmistress Janice Small is preparing for a 415-mile bike ride in the Himalayas.
Janice said: ‘In February, I am heading to West Bengal, with a cycling group led by the Reverend John Webster from Kings Cross.
‘Our aim is to cycle, over 7 days, from Kolkata, in the south, to Kalimpong 415 miles to the North and 4500 feet up in the foothills of the Himalaya. We will spend 5 nights under canvas.’
All the sponsorship money that is raised will go towards the Dr Graham’s homes for destitute Indian children.
After reading an article in The Arran Banner in April 2006 about John Webster’s cycle through India Janice knew she had to get involved.
Janice explained: ‘When I read this article, at the time, it made a huge impression on me so when I saw John’s advert looking for cyclists for 2008 I was immediately hooked.
‘I think it will be a marvelous experience, some good, some bad, extremely arduous, unforgettable but very rewarding as the end result will be helping, through donors, the children of the home.’
She will be expected to meet all personal costs herself but has to raise a minimum of £1000 in aid of Dr Graham’s Homes in Kalimpong.
This home was founded in 1900 for destitute Anglo-Indian children to help them to a fuller life of love, security and education.
‘To help meet my target I am doing a bag pack in the Co-op on Saturday December 1’, Janice said, ‘Please come along and support me.’
In order to prepare for the hard journey Janice has been cycling as much as possible.
She told The Arran Banner: ‘I have been cycling for a number of years now, around Arran and a few runs on the mainland.
In September, with my friend Linda Murchie, I took part in Pedal for Scotland, a charity run between Glasgow and Edinburgh. I raised over £300 for Diabetes Scotland.
‘I can cycle the distance required every day, between 45miles and 80miles, but it is doing it every day that will be hard.
‘To keep fit I am out on my bike every weekend and during the week when possible.
‘I have also started going up to Auchrannie gym where Lynn Boal is advising me.’
The trip will mark the beginning of Janice’s retirement from the Brodick post office.
She added: ‘I have sold the lease on Brodick Post Office and this trip leaves a week after I retire.
A bit tight but what a challenge to the start my retirement.’
