Lizzie McQuarrie is getting on her bike to mark both her, and Sense Scotland's, 35th birthday
When charity worker Lizzie McQuarrie realised she turned 35 in the same year as the organisation she works for, she decided to celebrate in style.
Lizzie, a senior administrator at Sense Scotland, is undertaking a 350km challenge, doing 35 ways of exercise - “cycling, walking, running, crawling!” - in 35 days in aid of the social care charity. The intrepid birthday girl hopes her energetic exertions will raise at least £500 to help disabled children and adults supported by the charity.
She explained: “When I realised both Sense Scotland and I turn 35 in the same year I thought it would be good to show how much I love working here by going outside my comfort zone and taking on so much exercise. The people we support and the people I work with are brilliant and with everything that’s gone on recently with the coronavirus crisis, I wanted to do something to help. I love that I work in a place where I can see the difference we make to people’s lives every day.”
Lizzie has worked for 11 years at TouchBase Glasgow, the charity’s community hub which offers access to expressive arts, music and drama. She is preparing for the #35waysin35days challenge with walks and cycle rides, using the new bike she has been able to buy through the Cyclescheme, which Sense Scotland is part of.
She added: “I do bootcamp twice a week but since lockdown that’s been it. I want to do more cycling because it’s fun and it’s something I want to get back in to. Top of my bucket list is to cycle to Loch Lomond and back, which is about 80 km. Hopefully McDonalds will be fully open by then and I can choose something from the full menu on the way back!”
Sense Scotland, which celebrates its 35th anniversary next month (September), is urging others to follow in Lizzie’s footsteps by taking part in the #35waysin35days campaign, to ensure it continues to make a difference for children, young people and adults with disabilities for the next 35 years.
Jen Niven, head of fundraising, said: “Between Wednesday 26 August and Friday 2 October supporters can undertake any challenge that involves the numbers 3.5 or 35 – for example they can run 3.5 kilometres, bake 35 cakes, or draw 350 pictures, as creative as they like. We’d love people to get creative and get involved.”
Anyone wanting to support Lizzie and raise vital funds for Sense Scotland can do so on JustGiving. More information on how to get involved with #35waysin35Days is available online.
