Greig, looking very trim for a man who describes himself as “fat bloke”, with Lee and his bike.

Lucky
“I’d felt for a while that I should be doing something to help children but wasn’t sure what and just hadn’t got around to it,” he explained. “My wife Alison and I have two healthy children and, knowing how lucky we’ve been, wanted to raise money for those who need help.
“When I read about The Sunday Post appeal I knew raising money for the four children’s hospitals was the right thing and I had to get involved.
“But my mind was finally made up to get on my bike when I heard about Lee.”
Lee is eight-year-old Lee Owens. His mum Debbie and her partner Brian O’Connor are close friends of Greig.
Until six weeks ago, Lee was a happy, healthy boy. Then one Monday morning in July he woke and couldn’t speak properly — Debbie describes it as being similar to the way deaf people speak.
“We took him to our GP. She thought his palate had moved somehow and sent us to Yorkhill,” says Debbie. 
“We saw an ear, nose and throat specialist who thought it was a neurology problem and then finally Lee was diagnosed as having some form of muscle disorder.
“Lee’s had every test under the sun — an MRI scan, biopsies, blood tests, everything, the hospital have been fantastic and couldn’t have done more — but they still don’t know quite what is wrong with him. They’ve told us to prepare ourselves for bad news.
Relief
“He spent three and a half weeks in hospital and they managed to rule a few things out, such as motor neurone disease, which is a big relief. However not knowing what is wrong with him is so stressful and worrying.
“They think whatever it is has caused the muscles in Lee’s throat to collapse and that it has probably been there undetected for a few years. As well as not being able to speak properly, the doctors are worried about what he is eating in case he chokes.
“We have even had to put a camera and microphone in his room so we can monitor him while he’s sleeping and guard against him choking in his sleep.
“He is only now starting to eat solid food again but he’s adapted to it really well. The doctors said the family — Lee, Brian, myself and daughter Natalie (12) — could get away for a couple of weeks on holiday before school restarted and that has helped ease the pressure too.
“Going back to school is a big worry but the hospital is sending someone along to advise them on what Lee can eat and what they should be looking out for.
“I know they are doing everything they can to discover what’s wrong with him. If they can find out what it is then hopefully they can treat it. We need to know.”
As a father himself, Greig knows the agonies his friends are going through. He’s determined to do what he can to help.
“Our girls Lucy (12) and Emily (10) have only ever had to spend one night in Yorkhill between them,” he says. 
“Thankfully that was nothing serious and we know how lucky we’ve been. That is why I want to give something back and help raise money for Yorkhill and the other children’s hospitals. 
“If it can help Lee in any way then all the effort will be worthwhile.
“The bike ride will be the second most difficult thing I’ve ever done after bringing up the girls but I know I’ve had it easy with them.
Difference
“The easiest thing in the world to do is nothing. Alternatively, you can get off your backside and do something to make a difference. That’s what I’ve decided to do.”
Greig cycles the 10-mile round-trip to work every day but says he’s done little more to prepare for his 874-mile challenge other than spending the summer eating and drinking well. 
Nevertheless, he’s confident of averaging around 65 miles a day after leaving Land’s End next Saturday and aims to arrive in John O’Groats 15 days later on September 8.
He’s set up a website to help raise money for our campaign and the highlight will be an online auction which will end when he reaches John O’Groats. So far the lots to be auctioned include some fantastic items.
There is dinner, bed and breakfast for four at One Devonshire Gardens, golf packages at Carnoustie, Turnberry and Skibo Castle, match hospitality for two at Celtic Park, private dining for 15 at Moira Jane’s in Glasgow — which Greig co-owns — and private catering for 20 from Box of Delights.
Greig is still working on adding more lots to the auction list and they can all be seen on his website — www.fatblokeonabike.co.uk — which details his cycle trip.
He can also be sponsored online through justgiving.com and a link to that can be found on the website.
And of course you can also back Greig by sending a cheque or postal order to our appeal, following the instructions on the left. Every penny will help children, like Lee, who need it most.

IF YOU have a special reason for contributing to or raising funds for our appeal then we’d like to hear from you. 
It could be that you’d like to thank caring staff for the treatment they’ve provided in your hour of need. Or perhaps a relative spent time in one of Scotland’s children’s hospitals and the experience has left a lasting impression on your family’s life.
Whatever the reason, please let us know. 
We’d be delighted to share your experiences with our readers. And, who knows, it may inspire others to follow in your fund-raising footsteps.

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