An avid St Johnstone FC fan has expressed his heartfelt thanks after completing an epic charity cycling challenge.
Sam Miller, a painter and decorator from Auchterarder, got on his bike on Friday as part of an attempt to travel from Warrington to Perth in 24 hours.
The 39 year-old lost his elder brother, Kevin, last year and wanted to do something to honour his sibling’s memory.
Keen cyclist Kevin lived and worked in Warrington and Sam came up with the idea that, if he started a bike ride there, he could arrive back in the Fair City in time for Saints’ Scottish Premiership match against Hibernian at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.
He narrowly missed the match but was welcomed by representatives of charitable trust Saints in the Community – the good cause Sam was raising money for – and other supporters later the same day.
And the gruelling test of endurance has so far raised almost £6800 for the charity, which carries out projects throughout the region under the St Johnstone banner.
Sam is also a member of the team behind the popular football-themed Dogger Saints podcast – named after the nickname given to the Railway Staff Club in Perth’s Feus Road, a regular haunt for Saints fans.
Reflecting on the 300-mile adventure, Sam explained earlier this week: “The first day did not pan out as I hoped but that was my own doing – I inaccurately put into my sat-nav that I had a mountain bike so it literally planned the route over mountains, as well as fields and forests!
“I got into Carlisle at midnight after 16 hours in the saddle. I pretty much thought day two wasn’t going to happen if I’m honest. I was completely deflated and my morale had run dry.
“But I slept for about four hours and woke up feeling remarkably fine, so it was a case of ‘head down and crack on’.
“I knew early doors that there was absolutely no way I was making the 3pm kick-off back in Perth, but that was the least of my worries.”
Dad-of-two Sam continued: “I got back to McDiarmid Park at about 8.30pm.
“The last mile took me by the pub, where everyone was outside cheering me on to the end. It was the first time I got emotional. I was tired, cold and a wreck.
“All the Saints in the Community staff waited for me to arrive and that meant everything. Afterwards, it was back down to the Dogger – by car this time – where there was another welcome party, complete with pizza and bubbly.”
He added: “The support from people on the route, and texts I was receiving, really did keep me going.
“I’d like to give a massive shout out to the people who supported me on the route, by either cycling or driving. I couldn’t have done it without them. Most importantly, thank you to the people who donated. I got a phone update from every single donation. They are the real heroes.
“I can’t believe the fundraising total is over £6700. I might sell my bike and add it to the total – I never want to see it ever again!”
Sam’s online donation page, which can be accessed by searching for his name on www.justgiving.com, is to remain active until May 1.
The winner of a special raffle featuring several top prizes will then be announced at a later date.
Thanking supporters on social media in the immediate aftermath of the cycling challenge, Sam said: “Your generosity and encouragement have been instrumental in me getting back to Perth and, for that, I cannot thank you enough.
“As I pedalled through the miles, I was motivated by the knowledge that your donations would make a real difference to the lives of those in need. It is heartening to see so many individuals come together to support a common cause and make a positive impact in the world.
“I would like to extend a special thank you to those who volunteered their time and resources to help organise and promote this event, as well as the team who followed me for every mile of the journey.”
