Mark's Four Nation's Challenge

Public health expert and Charity trustee, Mark  Haig, is taking on a mammoth 360-mile endurance challenge which will see him cross four countries.

Mark, inspired by his own personal experience with cancer, has paddled through Scotland on a three day trip in a two-man canoe across the Glen Coe Trail, covering 20 miles a day. 

Joining Mark for the Scottish leg of his challenge was friend and business partner, Mike Parker, who chose to raise funds for charity Wigan Rugby Union Junior’s Team.

Covering 60 miles, the canoe course connects Fort William with Inverness and offers a challenging way to take in some of Scotland’s most breath-taking scenery via the water.

Mark is now gearing up to take on the remaining three nations as he takes to two wheels and joins a peloton of fundraisers for Cycle of Hope 2019.

The 300-mile challenge will see cyclists ride across England, Wales and Ireland over four days. It will be the second time that Mark, who is a keen cyclist, has taken on the Cycle of Hope, having last year helped to raise more than £35,000 for the charity.

Mark said: “After completing last year’s Cycle of Hope and enjoying it so much, I was certain I would do it again this year, and what better way than combining it with the Glen Canoe Trail. 

“I’ve seen first hand the huge impact cancer research has on treating and diagnosing cancer and I’m very passionate about helping this cause.

“Mike and I have been talking about taking on the trail for many years now, and what better time to do it than when fundraising for cancer research.”

Alastair Richards, CEO of North West Cancer Research, said: “Mark has been a valued trustee of the Charity since 2016 and never shies away from getting involved in our fundraising events.

“Last year Mark, along with the other cyclists, did an amazing job of raising such an impressive amount for cancer research. This year Mark is taking it a step further by combining it with the canoeing challenge.”

You can support Mark at his JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-haig2