Published: Wednesday, 10th September, 2008 3:30pm

Couple take on cycling trek through Vietnam

by Amanda Keenan

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AN INSPIRATIONAL couple face a gruelling challenge of cycling through Vietnam to raise money to help their son.

Brave duo Thomas Wilson and his partner Andrena Cairns are taking on the tough challenge of cycling across the poverty stricken country to raise money for Diabetes UK.

Police officer Thomas, 53, from Barrhead and Leisure Centre Manager Andrena, 39, have already raised £6,000 for the charity but they are hoping that kindhearted locals will help them to raise £2,000 for this trip.

Thomas decided to help the charity when his son Adam, 21, was diagnosed with type one diabetes at the age of six.

Since then the dedicated couple have organised fund-raising events with the support of Diabetes UK.

Thomas said: 'We fly out to Vietnam on November 19 and we will spend the next five days cycling towards Tygon. So it will be a tough trek but we have been putting in a lot of training.

'The weather conditions will make it pretty tough but we are determined to complete the full cycling course.'

And the couple are being backed by East Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Government who have given them small gifts to hand into an orphanage that the couple plan to visit.

Thomas added: 'We are taking over colouring pens and notebooks for the kids as they are living in poverty and have very little. We were delighted that the council and Government are backing us.

'But we really need people to dig into their pockets and help sponsor us. I have seen Adam struggle with diabetes and I hope one day that a cure is found.

'It can be harrowing having to inject yourself with insulin but I am really proud of the way he has handled it.'

The fitness fanatic couple plan to cycle more than 60 miles per day. Thomas, a cycle instructor with the police force, is used to cycling for miles while Andrena trains every week.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the couple can do so by going to http;//thevietnamexperiencetripod.com.