Published: Thursday, 24th July, 2008 08:30
Well plaid, Kilts Across America duo!
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A ONCE-in-a-lifetime fundraising road trip across America by a Port Seton father has come to an end.
Colin Read, of Inglis Avenue, completed more than 4,000 miles on a Harley Davidson in an attempt to raise £250,000 for the Moebius Research Trust.
The ‘Kilts Across America’ campaign was set up to fund DNA research into the rare genetic condition, Moebius Syndrome, which affects Colin’s five-year-old son George (see inset).
Colin said: “This was a life-changing experience. If we have raised awareness and can now find out what causes Moebius, then we have achieved everything we wanted to and more.”
The 44-year-old was joined by friend Iain Whyte on a journey from Boston to Los Angeles, which took them just 18 days. They regularly covered more than 500 miles a day, with their families – including little George – close behind in a motor home.
“My family was there every step of the way and it was an unforgettable experience for them,” said Colin. “My two daughters have learnt a lot about life, and George had a ball – the Americans treated him like royalty! He gained a lot of friends and confidence.”
The motor-biking pair left Edinburgh on June 17 wearing specially designed kilts which they wore for the whole trip. They were stopped by one policeman in upstate New York who simply asked: “Why you wearin’ a skirt, boy?”
“Every day was a different experience and the amount of support that we were given was overwhelming,” added Colin. “It was a once-in-a lifetime experience. It was amazing.”
The trip inevitably had its low points, including driving through 106 degree Celsius heat in Death Valley and then through a flash flood. But overall, the good outweighed the bad.
“One of the best memories was when we drove into Las Vegas and ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ came on the radio,” he said. “We both just looked at each other and that was the moment it really hit us that we had come this far and achieved so much.”
Commercial photographer Colin and wife Dionne co-founded the Moebius Research Trust. George, who is a P1 pupil at Cockenzie Primary School, was born with the syndrome which means that the muscles in his face are paralysed.
He is unable to smile, move his eyes from side to side or blink, and his eyes are sensitive to light.
The family flew home last Wednesday after Colin and Iain returned their borrowed Harley Davidsons in LA.
“As we drove into the car park to return our bikes, we both had tears in our eyes,’ said Colin.
“After 4,200 miles, you really build up a close relationship with your bike.”
For more information, log on to: www.kiltsacrossamerica.co.uk. Money is still being donated, so an exact fundraising figure is not known.
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