Two 'party-loving' Edinburgh pals to walk, run and cycle 274 miles and cut out alcohol for 'Stoptober' to raise much-needed cash for Macmillan Cancer Support

Two friends are cycling the equivalent length of Scotland while cutting out alcohol during ‘Stoptober’ to raise much-needed cash for a leading UK cancer charity.

Housemates Rosa Robinson Alexander and Gemma Kerr are planning to walk, run and cycle 274 miles - the straight line distance between Cape Wrath and Mull of Galloway - by the end of the month in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Rosa, who studies nursing at Napier University, has lost two grandparents and an auntie to different forms of the disease while Gemma’s sister-in-law was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Rosa said: “We would actively like to do our part in helping raise money for others who find themselves in their situations.”

Rosa (dark hair) and Gemma are raising vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The 26-year-old says the next few weeks will represent a radical change for both her and Gemma, as their typical lifestyle involves drinking at weekends and not exercising a great deal.

But she says they have been doing plenty of long walks, runs and cycle regularly together around their Gilmerton home using bikes they were given during lockdown as they both work in care - and they are now about 40 miles in.

Rosa says they are both dedicated to completing the challenge - about nine miles a day on average - as well as cutting out alcohol throughout October and 25-year-old Gemma has even stopped smoking.

So far, the student pals have raised £270 for Macmillan. To help them raise a bit more, in a time when charities are suffering financially due to the pandemic, please visit their fundraising page HERE.

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