A group of fab friends – known as Team Awesome – put their best wheels forward as they skated a 26-mile marathon in aid of Deafblind Scotland. The determined band of skating sisters and brothers – hailing from East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow and beyond – racked up the miles and smiles at the East Fortune Roller Marathon on August 4. It was a special challenge to raise funds for Lenzie-based Deafblind Scotland. Sara McCann – aka Five Star Sylk – is a rising star for Glasgow Roller Derby (GRD). Forget about the extra mile, the local skater went three extra miles and then some! She even found time to help a fallen comrade – Karen Laurie – take part, pushing the injured, but determined skater in a wheelchair. Sylk said: “It was a tiring day, but the team spirit really pushed us on and we were delighted to have every member of Team Awesome finish. “There was a lovely moment as the last few team members came round the last corner where everyone rejoined them on track and we all crossed the line hand in hand! It was a great day where we got to meet lots of lovely new friends from around the country, but more importantly it was a chance to support a fantastic charity.” Sylk, from Bearsden, has raised more than £500 as an individual, while Team Awesome has banked £3,300 for Deafblind Scotland. She said: “The most important thing is the mind-blowing amount of support we’ve been shown and the money we’ve raised! A big thank-you to all our sponsors from all around the world.” More than 150 people took part in the event with around £10,000 raised for Deafblind Scotland. Head of fundraising Carol Anne McMahon said: “I’m so grateful to everyone who made the event possible, particularly all the volunteers who gave up their time to make sure the event went smoothly. “We not only raised a fantastic amount of money that will directly benefit our deafblind members throughout Scotland, the event has also raised vital awareness of our work.” Visit www.deafblindscotland.org.uk for more info. Team Awesome: Sara McCann Alan Woolfries Jim Whyte Karen Laurie Thomas McElroy Jazza Crawford Bryce Bushman Raelene Scaramuzza Emma Briggs Melody Buchan Cheryl Dow Jennie Cook Kirsteen Munro Rebecca Collins Graham Gow Sally McAdam Sam Hemson
