Galashiels surgeon prepares for Epic fundraiser

Ally McGilvray 1606 - 1606 • Published 18 Mar 2009 10:20 0 Comments

A BIG-hearted surgeon from the Borders is gearing up for one of the most gruelling bike races in the world to raise money for some of the poorest children on the planet.

John Cashman, an orthopaedic consultant from Galashiels, will compete in the eight-day Cape Epic mountain bike race in South Africa, starting this weekend.

He will cycle almost 1000 kilometres in soaring temperatures over some of the world"s toughest terrain, including hill climbs totalling 16,000 metres - twice the height of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world.

The 43-year-old children"s orthapaedic specialist and his colleague, Canadian doctor Paul Harnett, will compete alongside 1200 riders from all around the globe in aid of Cure international, which runs the only children"s orthopaedic hospital in a country of 13 million people, in an effort to raise their fundraising target of £50,000.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph from his surgery in Malawi ahead of the start of the race on Saturday, John, who left his job in the NHS in the UK to help sick children in Africa two years ago, said: 'I am a little apprehensive.

'I used to train a bit on the trails around Innerleithen and Traquair but I"ve never done anything of this magnitude before.'

The dad-of-two, who went to school at St Peter"s Primary School in Galashiels and St Mary"s Prep School in Melrose, had only originally planned to stay in Malawi for two years. But he is planning to extend his stay to aid the poverty-ravaged country which, largely due to HIV, has an average life expectancy of less than 40 years of age.

The surgeon has already raised around £5000 of his fundraising target which is to be spent on completing the building of a new operating theatre and physiotherapy unit at the hospital where he works - Beit-CURE International Hospital in Malawi.

And now he is asking Border Telegraph readers for their support. by logging on to www.justgiving.com/cure_cape-epic

Cure International transforms the lives of disabled, disfigured and injured children in the developing world through surgery and healing, providing a network of specialty childrens hospitals in countries with the most need.

John said: 'The family is well, but our community is struggling with hunger.

'Here at the Beit-CURE International Hospital in Malawi, we are desperately in need of some vital building work. We have started to build a third operating theatre and need to also construct new physiotherapy and children"s play areas as well as complete the security fencing of the hospital buildings.

'We are the only children"s orthopaedic hospital in the country and serve a population of over 13 million.

'There are an estimated 300,000 children in Malawi with physical disabilities who might benefit from our services. Children and their guardians are treated, clothed and fed absolutely free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our supporters.'

He added: 'Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It"s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Cure International (UK) gets your money faster and, if you"re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.'

amcgilvray@bordertelegraph.com

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 18 Mar 09

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