Gullivers pedal the planet for CHAS

A Biggar couple were so inspired by long-distance cyclist Mark Beaumont's efforts that they themselves are now hoping to cycle the globe - by tandem, no less - as part of a herculean effort in aid of Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) and the Hospices of Hope's 'Help for Ukraine' appeal.

Bob (53) and Deborah (49) Gulliver leave Rachel House in Kinross on Saturday, 26th March and aim to return to Scotland by the end of 2023. 

Those wishing to follow their World Tour online can do so at thegulliverstravels.com and donate via their JustGiving page.

Bob said: "While we have no idea what we will encounter along the way, after 30+ years working in IT programme management around the globe I always have to have a plan. While the plan may change on a regular basis, the schedule is to be back in Scotland to celebrate Christmas 2023 with our family, so approximately 21 months."

"This is slightly longer than Mark Beaumont's world record," Bob joked. "It was reading Mark's book of cycling around the world in 194 days that first inspired us to take up expedition cycling, although Mark's latest record of cycling around it in less than 80 days just tired us out reading about it!" Beaumont himself has been one of the first to offer words of encouragement to the Gullivers on their global adventure. Mark Beaumont said: "I recently got wind of the Gullivers' amazing plans to pedal around the planet on a tandem. What a mission, what a fantastic adventure to set out on to support the incredible work of CHAS.

"It's a wonderful mode of transport to get immersed in all these incredible cultures and landscapes in the next 21 months or so. These are extraordinary times so what a way to show that you can still travel. Joining the world up again is such a commendable aspiration. I look forward to following their adventures."

What inspired the duo to fundraise for CHAS?

Bob continues: "CHAS is making such a huge and immediate impact on the lives of children in Scotland suffering life-shortening illness, in parallel with providing support for the siblings and parents of those children. It is heart-breaking to hear how many families, just in Scotland, have a terminally ill child. As parents ourselves, we can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to be one of those parents.

"We therefore can't think of a charity that we would want to support more and hope that through our efforts we will further raise the profile of CHAS, and in turn funds that will allow the charity to support more families through such a painful time, while hopefully establishing long-lasting happy memories."

Remember, you can follow their World Tour online at thegulliverstravels.com and donate via their JustGiving page.