Dalkeith and Monktonhall's cycling cornet player in gruelling fundraiser.
East Lothian cyclist Michael Findlay is currently cycling the equivalent of 86.5 marathons to raise cash to help Dalkeith and Monktonhall Brass Band represent East Lothian and Scotland at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain!
The band qualified for the National event in March of this year when it took the runner-up place at the Scottish Brass Band Championships held in Perth Concert Hall.
Michael plays cornet and his wife Morven is also a tenor horn player with the band. In his spare time, weekends and the odd evening since April, Michael has been ‘pounding’ Scotland’s roads to meet his demanding targets and raise funds.
His mileage target is 2,250 miles and, with over 2,000 completed, he is nearly there. Michael has already surpassed his altitude target (feet climbed whilst cycling) of 60,000 feet (his current total is 83,294 feet). His biggest climb in one stretch was 7,345 feet! Time on bike so far is 4 days and 18 hours and not a single puncture!
Band Chairman Jim Henderson commented: “Michael has captured the admiration of many, and still appears at band practice twice weekly with enough ‘puff’ to put his part in!”
The band, based in Prestonpans under the musical direction of Jim Chamberlain, is well into preparations for the huge event which attracts 100-plus bands from all over the UK to compete for the UK National lower section titles in Cheltenham in September. MD Jim Chamberlain commented: “It’s fantastic that our players are all putting in extra effort both in practice time and fundraising. Michael’s efforts are outstanding and the cash brought in will help to offset the exceptional cost of preparation for the contest.”
Donations, which can still be made up until the end of August, can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/DM-Brass-Band?utm_id=2&utm_term=b7P62mq2y
