​Driver fell asleep at the wheel before killing fundraising pair

A lorry driver has been jailed for eight years for causing the deaths of two Scottish charity cyclists.

Andrew McMenigall and Toby Wallace were killed on the A30 in Newquay just after they started a ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats last July.

The pair – both married dads – were aiming to raise money for the Kirsten Scott Memorial Trust which provides opportunities for young people.

Kirsten was a 25-year-old colleague of the cyclists at Aberdeen Asset Management who died of cancer just five weeks after she was diagnosed.

Andrew was also raising money for It’s Good 2 Give, an Edinburgh-based charity that offers support to young people with cancer and their families.

One of his own daughters had been diagnosed with a brain tumour from which she recovered.

They were inspirational people who contributed so much to our society

The two men had hoped to raise £10,000 for their charities but soon after the tragedy, the total rose to £50,000 with more money pledged.

At Truro Crown Court in Cornwall, lorry driver Robert Palmer, 32, was jailed for killing the men after falling asleep at the wheel.

Prosecuter Philip Lee said Palmer, who was also banned from driving for 10 years, had sent a series of texts before the fatal crash.

One read: “My work schedule does not include sleep lol”.

Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC told Palmer: “At the time of this accident you had almost certainly fallen asleep.

“Toby Wallace and Andrew McMenigall were fine and good men. In their separate ways they were extraordinary men.

“They were inspirational people who contributed so much to our society.”

In a statement, the Kirsten Scott Memorial Trust said: “Both Toby and Andrew had both been amazing supporters of the trust and their fund raising efforts have meant so much in helping to establish a trust in Kirsten’s name to support young people under 26.”

Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “I knew both Andrew and Toby well. They were dedicated and popular members of our senior team.

“The fact that they died in such tragic circumstances while trying to help others less fortunate tells you much about their selflessness and humanity.”