Saltcoats teacher gets on his bike for SCIAF

Saltcoats teacher Steven Charters won’t be putting his feet up when the bell rings for summer….he will be getting on his bike to cycle the West Highland Way for his favourite charity SCIAF.

What’s even more incredible is that Steven, a Biology teacher at St Matthew’s Academy in Saltcoats, hopes to complete the 96-mile route in one go!

Steven said:

“I’ve been aware of SCIAF’s work for many years, and St Matthew’s pupils do a lot of fundraising for them. SCIAF does great work around the world and they support the same values as I do, looking out for everyone in the community.”

The West Highland Way runs for 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William and includes 15,000 feet of climbing.

Steven, who is married to Joanne and has two young sons, said:

“There are a few spots where I will need to get off and carry my bike up a hill – one is along Loch Lomond and the other is at Glencoe.

“I’m going to keep my eye on the weather forecast to decide what day I will go, but think it will be 30 June or 1 July. What would be ideal would be a dry, dull and mild day – so not too sunny or hot, or wet.”

So how long does he think it will take him?

Steven added:

“The record is held by cyclist Connor Swift who completed the route in an amazing 8 hours, 32 minutes and 28 seconds, but he’s a Tour de France competitor, so I will double that and hope for the best! I will set off from Milngavie and hope to make Fort William around 10pm.

“My thanks go to my dad, who will be my support on the day. He’ll be ‘following’ in the car and checking in at various points. As well as some bikes spares – I’m bound to need them – he will be carrying the all-important bananas and Lucozade to keep me fueled up.

“Joanne and my boys Robbie and Niall have been a great support too and I hope by doing this I can inspire my own children to take on challenges in their lives.

“Every pound raised will bring us one step closer to transforming lives and creating a brighter future for those who need to most.”