Virgin Trains Station Announcer pedals past fundraising target for charity bike ride

• Keen cyclist and Virgin Trains employee, Iain Robinson, has raised over £6,000 for Railway Children and Rethink Mental Illness
• Iain will cycle across India, as part of Ride India 2018

A member of the Virgin Trains team at Carlisle is taking to wheels to ride across India, after doubling his fundraising target.

Iain Robinson, 29, who is a Virgin Trains Station Announcer, has begun the 450km journey (called Ride India) after raising £6,000 for Railway Children and Virgin Trains’ charity partner, Rethink Mental Illness.

Since November 2017, Iain has been gearing up for Ride India with support from the Virgin Trains team at Carlisle who have organised various fundraising activities at the station, including a car wash, bake sales and cheering Iain on whilst he cycled 600 miles on a stationary bike at stations along the West Coast Main Line, all to reach the fundraising target of £3,000 by Christmas.

Spurred on by support from his colleagues and Virgin Trains customers along the west coast route, Iain set himself a new challenge to double his original fundraising target to £6,000, which saw him shave off his hair and beard.

Along with three other representatives from Virgin Trains, Iain will pedal nearly 300 miles over six days, tackling a variety of terrains across India.

A cycling enthusiast, Iain cycled over 5,000 miles last year – nearly the same distance from Carlisle to India’s capital, Delhi. But despite clocking up around 100 miles each week on his bike, this is the first time Iain has taken part in a cycling event for charity.

During his time in India, Iain will meet some of the children who are benefitting from the money raised for Railway Children and see how the charity’s ‘Child Friendly Stations’ project is making the railways safer for children forced to live in dangerous environments.

Iain, who lives in Currock, said: “I’ve had a great time raising money and awareness for Railway Children and Rethink Mental Illness and would like to thank people across our west coast route who have supported me in my fundraising efforts. I’ve been overwhelmed by the support and generosity – especially from the people of Carlisle and my colleagues. I can’t wait to start this amazing adventure.”

To support Iain and help raise money for Railway Children and Rethink Mental Illness, visit: https://www.sponsorme.co.uk/iainrobinson/ride-india.aspx