250-mile bike challenge will honour great nephew

A DUMFRIES pensioner is cycling 250 miles to raise cash for a charity set up in memory of his great nephew. Henry Grierson is getting ready to tackle the Kirkpatrick Way – from Stranraer to Eyemouth – two years to the day his beloved family member passed away. The 79-year-old is driven in his endeavour by the loss of his great nephew Henry, who passed away on April 25, 2024 aged at just 17 years old. The Henry Grierson ADHD & Mental Health Foundation has been started by his grieving family to support struggling neurodivergent teenagers and young people. This is to ensure they can access help before crisis and to raise awareness of the link between ADHD, mental health, drug abuse and suicide. His late great nephew Henry was a promising young rugby player, recently selected to represent Scotland in the under 19s European Rugby League Championships. He had ambitions to join the RAF and was an air cadet. He was the youngest of four siblings and his death has left a huge hole in his family. Great uncle Henry said: “When I start the challenge it will be exactly two years to the day since Henry passed away. I’m starting from Stranraer to Eyemouth and have mapped out the route which will take roughly six days to complete. I’m aiming to do 30-40 miles a day. I’ve been a keen cyclist for a few years. “My great nephew was diagnosed with ADHD when he was young. I want to raise awareness about the conditions.” Henry senior will be setting off solo – cheered on by family members at Stranraer – and his first stop off will be Creetown. Then he’ll bike onto Dumfries and will be passing through Annan and Langholm before eventually pedalling his way to Eyemouth. He knows it will be a gruelling challenge but hopes to raise as much as possible and is already at £300 of the £1k target. He added: “I’m out on my bike quite a bit. My legs will be fine but my backside will be the deciding factor. I’m sure I’ll be fine. His wife Sandra couldn’t be prouder of her husband. She added: “I’m so proud of Henry. I will be worried about him but he is going to do a Facebook post updating people every day and we will be tracking him. He is doing an amazing challenge.” To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wendy-kerr-1