Aberdeen

Local Charity Runner to Complete First Mini Monster Challenge in Lost Property Kit

John Ralph, an Admin Assistant with transport giant, FirstGroup, has come up with a novel idea to raise money for Save the Children. He aims to complete the Aberdeen First Mini Monster Challenge on June 7th almost entirely kitted out with lost property items from Firsts Aberdeen bus operations.

John (56) has decided to complete his 3km run dressed as celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, after a chefs outfit was left behind on one of Firsts buses recently. However, in an added twist John has decided to cycle an extra 10km, dressed as a woman, wearing a combination of items all left on buses.

John is a well known face in north east running circles and has raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years since taking up running in the early 1990s. His highlight was completing the London Marathon in a time of four hours and 50 minutes in 1996.

He said: "Our customers have left behind lots of unusual items over the years, including a goldfish, stick insects, false teeth, a unicycle, a bag of cement and even some dead mice that were to be the main course for a pet snake! The lost property team has seen some weird and wonderful sights!'

There is also a serious message to the lost property team as John explained: "Around 300 items are left on our buses in Aberdeen every month. I thought that by doing the Mini Monster in lost property kit and raising money for charity I could help encourage First customers to remember to collect all their belongings before alighting from our buses.'

He added: "The First Mini Monster Challenge promises to be a great event " and I am very keen to raise as much money as I can for my chosen charity, Save the Children " dressing in some of our more unusual lost property seemed like a natural fit!'

In April 2009 almost 300 items were left on Firsts buses. The top ten were as follows:
1. Keys (23)
2. Mobile Phones (21)
3. Wallets / purses (21)
4. Glasses (15)
5. Umbrellas (15)
6. Backpacks (including school bags " 14)
7. ID cards (mostly student ID cards " 13)
8. Hats (10)
9. Jackets (9)
10. Bags of food shopping (9)

Some of the more unusual items left on Firsts buses in April include a sleeping bag, a walking stick, a banana guard, a skipping rope, a keyboard stand and an inhaler.

John continued: "The April top ten of lost property would be fairly typical of an entire year. We keep non perishable lost property items in our travel shop in Union Street for two months. After that period, if still unclaimed, local charities benefit."

Entry to the Aberdeen First Mini Monster Challenge is only £5 per person (or £20 per team). 25 percent of the entry fee will be donated to Firsts charity partner, Save the Children. To register a team or for more information log on to www.firstmonster.com

Managed, hosted and organised by Aberdeen based transport giant, FirstGroup, the First Mini Monster Challenge is aimed at everyone regardless of age and fitness. The event comprises two relay races, one for families and one for adults. The family race will see teams of four complete two running sections, each 1.5km long, and two 5km cycling sections. In the adult event teams of four will also take on two runs and two cycles " the run will be 3km and the cycle 10km. In both races, each team member will complete one leg only.

Aberdeen will be one of five cities throughout the UK to host a First Mini Monster Challenge. Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Bristol will also stage an event.