A local teacher suffering with Crohn’s disease completed a gruelling cycling challenge for charity.
Lindsey Thompson from Perth, tackled a huge 1000-mile cycle from the bottom to top of the UK.
The task started in Land’s End in Cornwall and finished at the top of mainland Scotland in John o’Groats.
The challenge took 14 days to complete, with ten completely unsupported.
Even more impressive, Lindsey completed the route while collecting litter as she passed through the towns and cities.
An environmental activist, Lindsey wanted to raise awareness of the growing litter problem across the UK.
The PE teacher at Oakbank Primary School has now raised over £1500 for homeless charities Crisis and Crohn’s & Colitis UK.
The former fitness instructor at Live Active and Bannatynes in Perth was diagnosed with the bowel disease four years ago.
Following three years out of training due to the disease, Lindsey has managed to complete the challenge with less than one year of preparation.
She said: “I have always loved pushing my body to its limits and this was certainly a test of my mental and physical strength and stamina.
“I have been training hard since last August, out on my bike in all weathers and completing several sportives, including the Ochil Hills 100 and the Etape Loch Ness.
“I have been volunteering with Crisis regularly over the last 15 years and the work they do to help homeless people get back into homes and jobs are a lifeline to some people.
“I am glad that I could raise money for such a worthy cause doing something I love.
“I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease four years ago after a long spell of illness and was hospitalised for a week.
“It has taken three years to get to a point where my medication, including eight-weekly intravenous infusions, manages my symptoms enough to be able to train regularly.
“I am one of the lucky ones.
“Many people do not find the right balance of medication and have to resort to surgery to remove the diseased pasts of the intestines.
“There is no cure for Crohn’s currently, and Crohn’s & Colitis UK is leading the way to help find a cure, but in the meantime, they have been fantastic in helping me come to terms with my diagnosis.”
To donate to Lindsey’s campaign for Crisis go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lindsey-thompson5 or to make donations for Chron’s & Colitis go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lindseyannethompson.