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Determined Alan Corsie from Kinross will fly out to the USA later this week to complete his coast-to-coast fundraising cycle across America in aid of Alzheimer Scotland, 52 weeks after his first attempt ended with a three week stay in hospital.
The cycle challenge, which started in San Diego, came to a devastating end last October when Alan was involved in a road traffic incident leaving him with two broken legs and a punctured lung and all dreams of finishing the 2017 cycle and reaching the Atlantic Ocean ending that moment.
With just 350 miles to go until the end of a six-week coast to coast cycle covering 3,000 miles, Alan was struck by a vehicle somewhere between Mariana and Tallahassee in Florida leaving him in intensive care for two weeks, before being flown home to spend a further week in hospital in Dundee.
After receiving three operations on his legs and ankles and spending a few short months in a wheel chair and on crutches, Alan was back up and walking and more determined than ever to complete the challenge and cross the finish line. Incredibly by May, Alan was back in the saddle and training again.
Looking ahead to one of his greatest challenges, Alan says: “The accident was a complete nightmare, but I’ve been determined to get back up to fitness to finish what I started. Training has been difficult over the past few weeks, my left knee, which has permanent cruciate ligament damage following the accident, swells up and gets sore if I push things too hard when training, so I’m banking on Florida being flat and being able to take my time and go slowly.
“It will be great to see some of the people I cycled with last year, namely Larry and Chuck the tour organisers who have put a lot of effort into arranging this special support trip for me, and two other riders Ted and Steve, who are driving 1000 miles down from Ohio to cycle with me again. The friendships I’ve made as a result of my cycle and accident last year have been incredibly strong and heartfelt.”
Alan added: “The idea to take on the TransAmerica cycle came about pure and simply because I wanted to help raise as much funds as possible for Alzheimer Scotland as my mum has been diagnosed with dementia as were my gran and uncle. I have been delighted to be able to raise over 4k for the charity who do so much to help support people living with the illness across Scotland, and hopefully I can raise more.”
Henry Simmons, Chief Executive from Alzheimer Scotland, added: “I have been so inspired by Alan’s sheer grit and determination to come back from his injuries to get back in the saddle to complete his USA cycle.
“We wish him the very best of luck in his endeavours to cross the finish line and thank him hugely for fundraising on behalf Alzheimer Scotland to help us make sure nobody faces dementia alone.”
If you want to donate to Alan’s Just Giving page to help him reach his £6,000 target visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alan-corsie.
Help Alzheimer Scotland make sure nobody faces alone by challenging yourself by taking on one of our many fundraising events taking place across Scotland across 2019. Visit our events page at www.alzscot.org/fundraising/events. If you have any questions email the events team on [email protected].