A north-east fundraiser has set off on a mammoth cycle challenge in aid of the urological cancer charity Ucan.
Jim Greig left London yesterday and plans to arrive in Belgium in four days’ time.
Between him and the finish line are 280 miles, three countries and stops in three cities.
The 67-year-old from Culter decided to raise money for Ucan because it is the chosen charity of Grampian Continental at Kinellar, where he works as a facilities manager.
Mr Greig said he was also cycling to show his support for friends who had needed surgery after being diagnosed with urological cancer.
He and fellow riders in the Euro City Cycle Challenge 2014 were heading for Harwich yesterday, where they were due to catch a ferry to the Hook of Holland before going on to Amsterdam, Breda and Brussels.
Mr Greig, who lives with his wife Evie, has been a keen cyclist since the age of 40 and regularly covers more than 100 miles a week.
He said: “I enjoy being out in the country and it’s not unusual for me to cycle 100-150 miles per week which I mostly do on my own. Doing this as one gets older is a challenge in itself but I am well prepared for it.”
Ben Gracie, Grampian Continental’s business development manager, said: “Jim has the full support of our team and we are looking forward to hearing how he gets on.
“It’s great he’s helping raise funds for such a meaningful cause to the business.”
Ucan helps to support patients and families at the UK’s only dedicated urological cancer support centre based at Ward 209 (formerly 44) at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The charity’s fundraising manager, Fiona Pearson, said: “We would like to thank Jim for taking on this massive challenge. All the money raised will go towards improving the lives of people with urological cancer in the north-east.”
To find out more information about the charity visit www.ucanfundraise.org.uk. To sponsor Mr Greig, search for his name on the site’s supporters’ page.