Yoga teacher Daria takes to the saddle to raise money for sick children

A yoga teacher is to swap the yoga mat for the saddle in a bid to raise money for sick local children.

As well as running three businesses, Daria Wall is now eyeing up an epic 265-mile cycle as part of ARCHIE & Mark’s Big Bike Ride.

Daria is preparing to embark on an epic ride alongside world record-breaker Mark Beaumont – from Dundee to Inverness and then on to the Granite City on Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27 to raise funds for The ARCHIE Foundation.

All of the money raised by the event will go to help families with travel, food and accommodation costs while their child is treated in hospital.

Daria was inspired to sign up after teaching yoga to young people, some of whom have health issues and spent time in hospital.

It was this that helped her realise the importance of The ARCHIE Foundation and the support it provides to families struggling when their child requires a stay in hospital.

She said: “From my DP Wellbeing studio in Broughty Ferry, we run outreach programmes visiting schools to teach pupils yoga.

“Some of the children we see have health issues, it was this that made me realise how a child’s illness has an impact right through the family.

“This is a brilliant opportunity not only to build awareness of what ARCHIE is doing but to give something back.”

As well as a chance to help sick children, Daria sees the ride as a chance to achieve something.

She adds: “Everyone says this is a lot of miles but I’m going to prove to myself I can do this.

“At the start of the year, I said to myself ‘let’s make 2019 a good year’ and I want to challenge myself.”

Although a keen runner as well as being a yoga expert, this will be the first cycle of this kind that Daria has taken on. She has enlisted the help of a cycling coach, Jamie Brown, to help her prepare for the physical aspect of the ride, as well as giving nutrition and general bike tips.

Daria is enjoying her training so far in between her other business Wandertreat, offering yoga and well-being holidays, as well as organising the upcoming Scottish Yoga Conference in Dundee in September.

A recent session included ‘warm weather’ trip to the hilly Borders in temperatures of 18C to build up her hill climbing training.

With over a month to go, she is now looking forward to meeting her fellow riders in person after getting to know some over social media.

She said: “I’ve enjoyed my training but I’m looking forward to getting to know the group more.

“We’ve connected on social media with the other cyclists, we will all be there to support one another. We’ve created a nice small community – the cycle is a monster for all of us.

“I’m looking forward to actually doing it. If the weather is good it will be fantastic. Training can be quite solitary, so I’m looking forward to being with the group, to support one another.”

To donate to Daria’s efforts and to follow her progress visit justgiving.com/daria-wall.