Two Edinburgh fathers are riding more than 500 miles across Scotland in the name of cancer charity.
“Our bodies are aching, but the pain is temporary compared to what people with cancer suffer,” Zahid Hamid, one of the cyclists said.
From Edinburgh to Arrochar; from Arrochar to Oban; from Oban to Inverness; from Inverness to Aberdeen; from Aberdeen to Dundee; and finally back home to Edinburgh. The two fathers said it’s been a gruelling journey full of heart.
Ibrahim Kabir, 44, is an Edinburgh father from Corstorphine . Two months ago, he decided to join the World Care Foundation’s Cycle for Life cause. It was the first time he had ever seriously begun to cycle.
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“My father in law in Fife previously passed away from cancer, and I think that experience put things into perspective,” he said.
“A lot of people in developed countries like the UK generally have resources and facilities to deal with their diagnosis. In underdeveloped countries around the world, resources and treatments for cancer are limited and people and their families really suffer.”
To prepare himself for the gruelling 100+ mile days on the road, Kabir began waking up at 4am to train before work and cycling six-seven hours on weekends to quickly build his endurance.
“I have been on a strict training regime to be able to do this. I’m a family man and I have a career. I’ve been training around that and balancing things for the past two months. It’s never easy to take on a challenge like this, especially for someone like me that has never seriously cycled before this. But when I think about how much my body aches or how difficult it is, I know it’s only temporary. We’re doing this to help people with cancer for whom the pain is permanent,” he said.
Zahid Hamid, 48, is a father of two from Queensferry. He has been an avid cyclist for many years, and he has done other long distance challenges. However, he said the journey is still difficult for him.
“No matter how many long distance journeys you do, it never gets easier, but it’s not supposed to be easy,” Hamid said.
“I know at the end of this, I can rest and recuperate and feel fine again in a few days but people with cancer don’t get that option. I think we all know someone who has had cancer or been impacted by it.”
Hamid and Kabir will be crossing their 500+ mile finish line in Edinburgh on Thursday alongside their teammates. Hamid estimates that they have raised a total of £5,500 for their cause.
The World Care Foundation is an Edinburgh based charity aimed at encouraging “humanitarian efforts in order to help those in need anywhere in the world, regardless of their faith, colour, gender and ethnicity.”
The 500 mile Cycle for Life fundraiser is one of their latest projects. Funds are specifically being raised to support cancer patients and their families in under developed countries around the world.
Hamid and Kabir have been on the journey alongside three other cyclists and a team of two support drivers. More information about the Cycle for Life campaign here.
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