Scotland rugby hero dies the day after completing 1,000-mile charity cycle

Ken MacAulay, a former Scotland rugby player, has died the day after completing a 1,000-mile charity bike ride.

The 66-year-old, who began the three-week journey earlier this month, suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday.

MacAulay has raised over £14,000 for four charities – Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation and Prostate Scotland.

The cycle challenge, which started and finished at Gala rugby club in Galashiels, saw him visit all 76 clubs and pitches he had played at during his 30-year career.

In a message on his fundraising page, Macaulay said the challenge would take him ‘well out of my comfort zone’ as he was ‘no spring chicken’.

After completing his mammoth journey on Saturday, Ken wrote in his final social media post: ‘Sorry, folks, for the rather brief update last night but things were pretty hectic when I arrived at Netherdale for the conclusion of my adventure!

‘It was a long cycle yesterday, over 70 miles, most of it in to a headwind but it was also another day of warm welcomes and great company – at one stage there were 14 of us on the road and we also were being escorted by the Doddie Tractor for part of the way!’

MacAulay’s family said in a statement after his death: ‘Pat, Richard, Joanna and family are extremely sad to inform you that Ken passed away on Sunday 27th October.

‘This is a huge shock to us all especially after he concluded his incredible charity cycle on Saturday 26th. We’re so proud of him but overwhelmed by his loss at the same time.

‘Ken’s first response to receiving his retrospective cap was to use it as a platform to give back – we are so in awe of all he has achieved.’

MacAulay was one of 75 players who were retrospecively classed as full internationals by the Scottish Rugby Union Custodian Board earlier this year.

It came 44 years after he was selected for the Scotland squad which playd a France Select team in Bordeaux in 1980, but because it was classed as a friendly tournament, he was not given an official Scotland cap at the time.

Scottish Rugby President, Colin Rigby said: ‘Ken was a big man, with an outgoing personality. His passion for rugby knew no bounds.

‘It was a measure of the esteem in which he was held that former Scotland players and British and Irish Lions joined him on legs of that cycle, as well as friends from the wider rugby family in Scotland.’

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