Bridge of Allan shopkeeper Rizwan Ashraf has completed a gruelling Alpine charity cycle in memory of his late father. Rizwan, who has run the Allanwater Papers shop in the town for the last 18 years, cycled more than 230 miles through Alpine terrain from Innsbruck in Austria to Lucerne in Switzerland.
Raising funds for CHSS
The 43-year-old, also a popular fixture at Clackmannanshire and County Cricket Club, rode alongside his cousin Bilal to raise money for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) in memory of his dad Mohammed, who died from a stroke last year.
The heatwave gripping Europe added an extra layer of challenge for the pair, although they were able to take in the stunning scenery along the way, as well as having a cooling dip in the river Inn, which accompanied them for much of the cycle.
Community support
They completed the cycle on July 30, with Rizwan reporting a big response from locals along the route, with many commenting on the friendly nature of the Scots.
The fundraiser has secured £2,500 for CHSS. Rizwan thanked all those who dug deep, from customers coming into the shop to those at the cricket club and the Westerton Arms, who donated a £100 voucher for a raffle. He also acknowledged the wider support of his family and the Bridge of Allan community.
He added: “A big thanks to Stirling Bike Club, who were kind enough to lend me the bike bag that I used to take my bike abroad.
“The aim of this ride was to raise awareness and motivate about heart-based conditions and strokes, which are more common in south Asian communities, as well as the incredible work the charity do for people.”
