Kinross man was Mr Fix-it for Paddy McGuinness's Children In Need bike marathon

-Credit: (Image: handout/UGC)
-Credit: (Image: handout/UGC)


A Kinross-shire bike mechanic provided vital support to comedian Paddy McGuinness during his endurance cycle last week for Children in Need.

Mark Sinclair joined Paddy’s team at the start of the 300-mile marathon from Wrexham to Glasgow on Monday, November 11.

The Radio 2 DJ cycled the route on his retro Chopper bike, finishing at BBC Scotland in Glasgow last Friday morning.

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It has now raised more than £9m for Children in Need.

Mark’s role was to keep Paddy’s bike running as well as making adjustments, supported by cycle manufacturers Raleigh UK.

Mark said: “What Paddy achieved by riding his Chopper 300 miles is incredible.

“He’s raised over £9 million pounds that will help support children right across Britain.

“I was part of a big team of specialist support to make everything run safely and smoothly from Wrexham to Glasgow over the four and a half days.

“The bike Paddy rode all the way, is called Patch and is his own Chopper bike.

“As part of their support, Raleigh supplied back-up bikes should they have been needed, but we were able to keep Patch running all the way.”

Mark, formerly of Glenalmond, is married to Sarah and they have two children in their 20s, Maisie and Jake.

He took over running the shop at Channel Farm by Loch Leven in 2022, renaming it Sinclair Cycles from which he runs a bike hire business.

“I’ve been a bicycle mechanic for 30 years. I now run this small business in a lovely location adjacent to Loch Leven.

“I turned 50 on Friday, November 8, so it has been quite a birthday treat for a bike geek like me.”

Mark had announced on social media last week that his store would be closed until Monday November 18, adding: “I’m off to help Pudsey bear with some Raleigh Choppers.”

During Paddy’s ultra endurance challenge Scottish businessman Sir Tom Hunter’s charity The Hunter Foundation announced it will match donations made by people to Paddy McGuinness’s BBC Children in Need challenge. For every pound donated it will match the amount up to a maximum of £3m.