A St Johnstone fanatic is gearing up for a poignant fundraising charity test of endurance in his brother’s memory.
Sam Miller, a painter and decorator from Auchterarder, is set to complete his first ever cycling challenge later this week.
The 39-year-old will be pedalling from Warrington to Perth.
Last year he lost his elder brother Kevin and wanted to do something to honour his sibling’s memory.
Sam considered getting on a bike and doing some good at the same time as Kevin was a dedicated cyclist.
Kevin lived and worked in Warrington and Sam had the idea that, if he started a bike ride there, over 24 hours it was feasible to cycle back to Perth.
He hopes to return in time for Saints’ Scottish Premiership match against Hibernian at McDiarmid Park this Saturday.
So it is shaping up into a 24-hour, 300-mile cycling adventure.
“I’m attempting to cycle from the Halliwell Jones stadium, home of the Warrington Wolves, to McDiarmid Park, home of Perth St Johnstone,” said Sam, who runs the Dogger Saints podcast which talks all things St Johnstone.
“My brother, who sadly passed away last year, lived in Warrington and was a very keen cyclist so this will be in his memory while also raising vital funds for the St Johnstone-based charity Saints in the Community.”
The fundraising page total is sitting at more than £3500 and the money will go to helping those who benefit from award-winning Saints in the Community’s many initiatives.
The community trust is involved with kids as young as three right through to people in their later years who benefit from remembering the joy of football moments from yesteryear.
To boost his fundraising, Sam has amassed some incredible draw prizes which are linked to donations towards the cycle challenge.
For every £5 pledged, donors will get a single draw ticket and the lucky draw winner will take all the prizes.
The Saints-themed bundle on offer through the Dogger Saints podcast includes many highly desirable collectables, including signed boots worn by ‘triple champ’ Stevie May, a bottle of ‘Winners Edition’ signed whisky and a Drey Wright shirt.
Dad-of-two Sam admits to being a cycling novice but he has stocked up on padded cycle pants and all the items to make for a more comfortable saddle experience.
“For a while I just read about cycling without actually getting on a bike,” Sam recalls.
“I read Mike Carter’s book One Man and His Bike about cycling round the coasts and that got me very motivated.”
Prior to getting ready for this trip, the furthest Sam had ever cycled was 40 miles.
His training has seen him gradually extend his distance and last week he was chuffed to be able to cover 150 miles “off the cuff”.
His two boys, Noel (8) and Myles (6), are excited to hear he’ll be pedalling with all his might to get home to them.
On day one Sam’s dad will be a support driver and, in the afternoon cycling with him, will be his friends Greg Stirton and Adam Taylor.
The three pals plan an overnight stop - “refuel, beer, rest, fresh clothes, early rise” - at a hotel in Carlisle. Then the 24-hour clock starts again for a Saturday afternoon finish.
He hopes his wife Lynne will meet him on the second leg from Livingston to Perth.
Sam also hopes to wheel into Perth’s McDiarmid Park ground to finish the Warrington journey around 3pm on Saturday, April 22.
It would be perfect if he finished in time for Saints’ match against Hibs.
“But just to get there would be great,” Sam said. “This is the north of the UK, so in April it could, for all we know, be snowing sideways.”
Wishing to prove himself as the brave underdog - and not be in the dog house for drinking at the Railway Staff Club bar (nicknamed ‘The Dogger’), which in turn led to the name of the podcast - Sam mused on what lies ahead this week.
He pondered: “Is this a stupid thing to do? Probably? Will I make it? Hopefully!”
He plans to be joined by supporters for a swift pint at The Dogger to round off his two-wheel challenge.
Help Sam help Saints in the Community by going to his online appeal page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/doggersaints
