A Fraserburgh man will ride across the United States on his motorbike for his latest fundraising challenge to give north-east drug users a home to overcome their addictions.
Gordon Cruden, the area manager of addiction recovery charity Teen Challenge, will attempt to make his way across 48 states in 30 days this summer.
It is hoped the money raised will help Teen Challenge in its campaign to purchase the Benaiah centre, near Mintlaw, so that mothers can have their children live with them while they complete the charity’s recovery programme.
Mr Cruden will kick-start the ride in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Saturday, June 18, and finishing in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, July 17, while taking in the likes of Massachusetts, New York, Florida, California and Texas.
Last night, he said: “There will be no time for sightseeing, but I am confident it can be done.
“A key aim of the initiative is to highlight the importance of residential support for those recovering from life-controlling addictions.
“It will be great to visit various residential centres to shine a light on the great work carried out in helping people both to overcome the initial phases of withdrawal, and also start making the lifestyle changes that are essential to total recovery.
“And, of course, we will raise cash for our Buy Benaiah Campaign.”
The American challenge follows Mr Cruden’s successfully completing the European challenge in 2015, when he visited 47 capital cities across the continent, covering 13,500 miles, by motorbike.
Later in the year, he lived rough in London, Cardiff, Dublin, Belfast and Edinburgh over the course of one month.
His efforts have so far helped the Buy Benaiah Campaign reach £270,000 – more than 50% of the target £535,000.