Scotland rugby star Finn Russell backs Stirling trio’s French cycling challenge

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Three big-hearted pals from Stirling have been given backing for their charity cycle across France by a pair of local sporting stars.Norrie Bairner, 71, Bobby Morton, 69 and Brian Williamson, 67, are taking on the 1,000 mile pedal across the country in just 10 days to raise money for five charitable causes.The fundraiser will help provide valuable support for Strathcarron Hospice, Kidney Kids Scotland, Pancreatic Cancer, Diabetes Scotland and The Melanoma Society.The trio all attended Stirling High and have no experience of cycling long distance - although they are all sporting enthusiasts and were instrumental in Stirling Basketball Club winning the Scottish National League Division 1 in 1980.The journey will see them cycle from Calais on the edge of the Channel all the way to the glamorous resort of Cannes on the country’s south coast.Entrepreneur Brian said: “We hope that the fact that we are taking on this challenge at our age will show that the years do not have to be limiting, and that it is never too late to take up a new sport.“We also intend to be as fluent in French as it is possible to be in six months of learning by the time we set off on the cycle trip in September, to illustrate that lifelong learning is also something that people of our advanced years can still embrace.” Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.

Meanwhile, former PE teacher Bobby continued: “Having the endorsement of these local – and also global – heroes is a phenomenal boost for us and will be a great encouragement as we are putting in the miles in France.“What we are doing is nothing by comparison to what Finn and Kieron have achieved in their lives – sportspeople in Stirling have a lot to be proud of.