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Doctor gets his gear off to raise funds on bike ride

'I may not have the sculpted body of a Greek god, so I’m aware it may not be the best incentive, but it’s definitely helped to grab people’s attention'

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A Jewish doctor taking part in a 600-mile bike ride has come up with a novel way to fundraise — for every £200 donated, he will remove an item of clothing.

Robbie Allon, 28, from Glasgow, will be cycling from Berlin to London as part of a World Jewish Relief ride from June 17-22, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Kindertransport.

Dr Allon said his girlfriend had come up with the idea of the sponsored strip. “I may not have the sculpted body of a Greek god, so I’m aware it may not be the best incentive, but it’s definitely helped to grab people’s attention.”

As a Glaswegian, Dr Allon will be adding a special Scottish element to the proceedings. “Though I now live in London, I am a proud Scotsman who wears my kilt on any possible occasion. It seemed only right that some good old Black Watch tartan made an appearance.

“So far, I’ve managed to raise £1,400 of my £2,000 fundraising target in just a month. For every £200 raised, I’m being photographed removing another layer — I’m currently down to my T-shirt.

“Photo-shoots have been taking place in my local park in Finchley, which has got me some very odd looks. As we get to the later stages I am concerned about being arrested for public indecency.”

Forty-two cyclists are taking part in the ride. Commenting on the fundraising plan, Richard Verber, head of external affairs at WJR, said Dr Allon would be “removing an item of clothing until he eventually reveals what a Scotsman wears under his kilt.

“We’re all hoping the answer is underpants.”

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