South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has paid tribute to a group of charity cyclists as they made their way through the region, marking the second anniversary of a Dumfries man’s death while playing rugby in Ireland.

The cycle was organised in memory of David Hill, who played for Dumfries Saints Rugby Club before a career in politics working for several MSPs at Holyrood.

He was also one of the founding members of the Scottish parliamentary rugby team.

David sadly died from a previously undiagnosed heart condition while taking part in a cross party rugby match for Holyrood against Dail and Seanad XV at the Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin.

The cyclists travelled from Edinburgh, through the Borders before heading through Dumfries and Galloway on their way to Dublin, stopping at various schools to raise funds and awareness for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).

David’s father Rodger Hill and his wife Lesley led the cyclists.

Colin Smyth said: “It was humbling to cheer Rodger, Lesley and the rest of the team on as they took a quick pitstop at Lockerbie to refuel and chat with pupils on their way across the region.

“I have the privilege of Chairing the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Heart Disease, and Rodger and Lesley attend our meetings, raising awareness of the issue of sudden cardiac deaths among young people and I would like to pay tribute to them and everyone who took part in such a gruelling challenge for such an important cause.”