A Pencaitland father and his nearly five-year-old son are training to ride laps at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow to support ALK Positive UK
In Pencaitland, East Lothian, police officer Dan Clarke and his son Matthew Clarke are preparing for a heartfelt charity effort. Motivated by a close family friend’s illness, they have signed up to take part in the Tour de 4 event in Glasgow on September 6.
Their aim is to raise funds for ALK Positive UK, a charity that supports people affected by a specific form of lung cancer. The decision to ride together reflects both a desire to help someone they love and an opportunity to involve Matthew in a meaningful community activity.
The pair will ride at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, completing as many laps as they can within an hour on a 1km circuit. While the minimum expectation for participating children is one kilometre, Dan expects that between them they will cover approximately four to five kilometres during the hour-long challenge.
Matthew, who is currently four and will be five by the time of the event, has been gaining confidence on two wheels for about a year, progressing from a balance bike to pedalling unaided. Dan is building a training routine so they arrive at the velodrome ready and confident.
A personal reason to take part
Their motivation is deeply personal: a family friend, Emma Philp, received a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer in her early thirties, and since then she and her family have been supported by ALK Positive UK. Emma, 36, is known to Dan and his family through close social ties — she is married to a friend of Dan’s wife and their children are the same age as Matthew, making the connection part of daily life. Witnessing the toll of her illness made the choice to fundraise an obvious one for Dan, who wanted to translate compassion into action.
Training, logistics and event details
Preparing for a velodrome challenge requires planning even when the distance seems modest. Dan and Matthew will practise short laps on similar surfaces to develop rhythm and confidence, with Dan cycling alongside to guide and support his son. The Tour de 4 format is family-friendly: participants complete a 1km loop of the velodrome within an hour, and many teams aim to get as many laps as they can while enjoying a social atmosphere. Friends and family plan to travel to Glasgow to cheer the duo on, providing encouragement throughout the hour.
Practical preparations
Equipment and pacing matter: although Matthew learned to ride using a balance bike, steady practice and a few supervised outings will be part of their routine. Dan mentioned he recently acquired his own bicycle and will train alongside his son to build endurance and coordination. On the day, Dan will remain close to Matthew as they complete the loop together, turning the ride into a shared experience rather than a competitive test. That approach helps ensure safety, learning and enjoyment, and keeps the focus on the charity cause.
Community and emotional impact
Beyond the physical challenge, this ride serves as a way to teach values and show solidarity. Dan wants Matthew to see that people can respond to hardship by giving time and energy to others, even when a child cannot yet grasp the full implications of a loved one’s diagnosis. Riding as a father-and-son pair creates a bonding opportunity and models active compassion: the small act of pedalling in a velodrome becomes a tangible expression of support for Emma and her family, and for the broader ALK Positive UK community.
How to support the effort
Anyone wishing to support Dan and Matthew can contribute through the official channels associated with the event or directly to ALK Positive UK. Donations and messages of encouragement can make a real difference to families navigating a difficult diagnosis, and attending the Tour de 4 on September 6 to cheer on participants is another meaningful way to help. The Clarke family hopes the ride will not only raise funds but also raise awareness about the charity’s work supporting people affected by lung cancer.
Final thoughts
What began as concern for a friend has become a community-focused endeavour that blends fitness, family time and charitable giving. Dan and Matthew’s ride is a reminder that simple, shared activities can carry significant emotional weight and practical benefit: a father teaching his son to pedal can also teach him empathy, and a fundraising lap can add up to crucial support for those battling illness.
