Musselburgh man cycling 1,000km around Outer Hebrides in tribute to late wife

A man from Musselburgh has set off on a 1,100 kilometre charity cycle through the Outer Hebrides in memory of his wife who died of cancer.

Karl Zeiner’s late wife, Fiona, died on Christmas Day last year from a rare and aggressive form of the disease called angiosarcoma.

The couple, who had been together for 18 years, loved to run, cycle and hill walk and had always wanted to visit the Outer Hebrides together.

Even when Fiona was given a year to live they talked about touring the islands on bikes or renting a campervan.

Karl's wife, Fiona, was diagnosed three years ago but the cancer returned aggressively in February last year | Karl Zeiner

When Fiona died five months ago, Karl was sure he still wanted to do the trip.

“I got the idea for the cycle quite early on, before she passed away,” said the 52-year-old. “I thought if we can’t do it together I would do it in her memory.”

“Originally I thought I would just do it for myself but after she passed away I realised I wanted to do it for charity.”

He is raising money for Sarcoma UK and St Columba's Hospice, where Fiona spent the last few days of her life.

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“She’d spent the week before in the Western General Hospital and then we managed to get her transferred,” he said.

“It was just so much nicer for her and allowed her to spend time with her friends and family.

“So I wanted to raise money for them as well as to fund more research into the disease she had.”

Fiona loved the outdoors and was part of several sports clubs in Edinburgh | Karl Zeiner

The 52-year-old triathlon coach started the challenge on Sunday in Arran, where his friend was celebrating his birthday, and has since cycled to the start of the Hebridean Way on Vatersay.

He will follow the cycling route all the way up north to Lewis, before taking the ferry back to Ullapool and cycling back to Edinburgh. He is aiming to complete the trip in 12 days.

“I feel more anxious about this challenge than the ones that I’ve done before,” he said.

“This one is more remote. Trips like these always throw challenges at you, especially when you’re on your own.”

Karl on his departure from Glen Rosa campsite on Arran on Sunday | Pam Van de Brugh

The fundraiser has already raised over £7,000 for Karl’s two chosen charities.

Karl said he is extremely grateful for the donations but he is not surprised by the support he’s received, given how many people knew Fiona and the various clubs she was involved in.

“Over 200 people came to her funeral and we have a large friend base through our running and triathlon clubs,” he said.

“But there’s been some large anonymous donations that have come through and I don’t know who they’re from, so that’s been a surprise.”

You can donate to Karl’s fundraiser here.