Two men from Aberdeen are attempting to cycle across the breadth of the United States to raise funds Macmillan Cancer Support.
Bill Stephenson and Colin Stewart both recently lost their jobs in the oil and gas sector and so decided to make good use of their time off by tackling a once-in-a-lifetime physical adventure.
The pair set off from Astoria on the Pacific coast last month and are aiming to travel 4,230 miles in 90 days, finishing up at Yorktown on the Atlantic coast by late September.
Along the way they will face numerous challenges, including the steep climbs of the Rockies and the Appalachians, as well as high temperatures and possibly unfamiliar wildlife.
And every night they will camp out under the stars.
Mr Stephenson used to be a keen climber, but an ankle injury has ruled him out of walking and mountaineering in recent years.
In preparation for the challenge, the 54-year-old trained hard in the gym and rode with the Deeside Thistle Cycling Club.
Before this endeavour, his biggest cycling challenge was a ride between Skye and Montrose.
His partner on the journey, Mr Stewart, is slightly more experienced and recently cycled back to Aberdeen from Barcelona.
Mr Stephenson lost his father to cancer earlier this year, and said this had given him the motivation to take on the challenge.
He said: “I had two months at home trying to help things function whilst Dad was dying.
“Dad preferred to die at home, but keeping a household working under those circumstances is tough.
“We had a Macmillan nurse visiting who was able to identify areas where we could get help and also defuse any tensions in the family.
‘When you have lost someone to cancer your first reaction is to fight cancer – supporting cancer research and drugs development.
“But on reflection you realise that while cancer may be reduced or delayed, many people will still be dying as a result of it, and the best that can be done is to make their last days as good as possible – which is where Macmillan can step in.”
Jennifer Mitchell, senior fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Support in the north of Scotland, said everyone at the charity was appreciative of the pair’s great effort.
She said: “We are hugely grateful to Bill and Colin for taking on such a mammoth challenge to help Macmillan support more people affected by cancer.
“I hope the weather is kind to them, the wind behind them, their bikes remain mechanically sound, their legs don’t let them down – and the grizzly bears step aside to let them pass.”
To support the pair’s fundraising efforts, go to www.justgiving.com/The-Bill-Stephenson.