Ex-Scottish rugby international Ken Macaulay on way to St Andrews and Cupar as part of charity bike ride

Fundraiser Ken Macaulay at Selkirk on the first day of his 1,020-mile charity cycle ride, Saturday, October 5 (Photo: Grant Kinghorn)Fundraiser Ken Macaulay at Selkirk on the first day of his 1,020-mile charity cycle ride, Saturday, October 5 (Photo: Grant Kinghorn)
Fundraiser Ken Macaulay at Selkirk on the first day of his 1,020-mile charity cycle ride, Saturday, October 5 (Photo: Grant Kinghorn)
Ex-Scottish rugby international Ken Macaulay is coming to Cupar and St Andrews tomorrow as part of a 1,020-mile nationwide cycle ride for charity and he’s hoping for a good show of support from fans at the former’s Duffus Park and latter’s Madras club.

Home fixtures for Howe Crusaders against Strathmore’s seconds and Madras versus Aberfeldy in Arnold Clark Caledonia Midlands Region League Division 2 kick off at 3pm and the 67-year-old is hoping to arrive in Cupar at least half an hour beforehand after a 42-mile ride from Strathmore via Dundee and St Andrews.

Check both clubs’ Facebook pages for up-to-date timings on the day.

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Macaulay, now living on Great Bernera in the Outer Hebrides, is cycling around all the 76 Scottish rugby clubs he played at as a lock for Gala, Heriot’s and North Berwick in his younger days as a fundraiser for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, Prostate Scotland, Murrayfield Injured Players’ Foundation and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

That charity challenge – launched in Galashiels in the Borders on Saturday, October 5 – was prompted by talking to fellow former players at a retrospective capping ceremony at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium in February.

He was among 75 awarded belated caps, his being for featuring in a Scotland XV against a French representative side in Bordeaux in April 1980, making him the 1,215th player to be capped for Scotland, and marking that honour, he set himself a target of raising £1,215, later upped to £4,860, though he’s already past the £7,000 mark.

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Explaining his choice of charities, he said: “I’d been wanting to do something for Chest, Heart and Stroke for a while.

“It was a stroke that killed my father and I’ve been wanting to do something on his behalf for a long time, so it felt right.

“Having had examinations in the past, I’m all too aware that Prostate Scotland need to raise awareness.

“I played rugby for a long time, longer than most people – 30 years. I was very lucky to be largely injury-free and I want to put something into the pot of the Murrayfield Injured Players’ Foundation for those who are not as fortunate.

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“Doddie inspired us all and there has been some fantastic people who’ve raised funds for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. I wanted to do my bit too.”

Macaulay will be back at Howe of Fife’s home ground on Monday, day 17 of his challenge, including two rest days, to set off on a 64-mile ride to Stirling County via Rosyth, Dunfermline, Hillfoots and Alloa.

He’s due to finish his journey on Saturday, October 26, back in Galashiels after cycling 69 miles from Berwick via Duns, Kelso, Jedburgh, St Boswells, Earlston and Melrose.

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