SUPER cyclist, Mark Beaumont, enjoyed a break from the saddle to meet school kids taking part in a pioneering project at City of Glasgow College.
The fearless Scot, who broke the record for pedalling around the globe in 2008, was grilled by fifth-year pupils attending college as part of the Soccer Success project.
Begins a spokesperson: “Youngsters heard how the 28 year-old endured extreme conditions to complete over 18,000 miles in just 194 days and 17 hours – smashing the Guinness World Record by 81 days.
“Mark inspired the teens, recounting the physical and mental challenges he faced cycling through the world’s toughest terrains.”
The Soccer Success project is run in partnership with Glasgow City Council and Celtic and Rangers.
It is designed to help teenagers find work by boosting their communication, leadership and social skills.
Mark said: “It was great to come back to Glasgow, where I used to live, and talk with such enthusiastic young people about my expedition and their plans for the future.”
Lecturer, Robert Johnstone, said: “The pupils were hugely inspired by Mark’s visit. They have been raising money for Mark’s charity, Orkidstudio, and continue to do so with the aim of a £300 donation to thank him for his time and efforts.”
Pupil, Dean Hinde, 17, from Springburn commented: “To hear from Mark how he conquered so many challenges to cycle the world was amazing. I think his main message was never to give up on your dreams”
The spokesperson added: “A BBC1 series called ‘The Man who Cycled the World’ documented Mark’s world-record journey. His book, by the same name, was published in May 2009 and became a sports bestseller.
“Not content with that, Mark cycled 15,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina between June 2009 and February 2010. His trip was one of the longest unbroken land journeys on earth and saw him climb the highest peaks in North and South America – Mount McKinley and Aconcagua.”
ENDS
For more information contact Fiona Cochrane on 0141 566 4107 or email fiona.cochrane@cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk
Editor notes:
City of Glasgow College was formed in September 2010 from the merger of Glasgow Metropolitan College, Central College Glasgow and Glasgow College of Nautical Studies.
Soccer Success is a programme that was developed by Glasgow City Council in conjunction with Celtic and Rangers Football Club and two Further Education Colleges – City of Glasgow College and North Glasgow College.
The programme is designed for young people who should be going into fifth-year at high school but would rather continue their education in a different way. The programme develops many different skill sets including ICT, communication, leadership, group work, positive social skills and basic employability. The timetable is varied and is designed to hold and capture the attention of the young people attending the programme. This is usually made up of Monday at Celtic/Rangers Learning Centres; Tuesday and Wednesday at Toryglen Regional Football Centre and Thursday and Friday at College.
For more information on Mark Beaumont visit www.markbeaumontonline.com
For more information on City of Glasgow College visit www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk
For more information on Orkidstudio visit www.orkidstudio.co.uk
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Contact: Fiona Cochrane
Phone: 0141 566 4107
Email: fiona.cochrane@cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk
Website: http://www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk
