An Aberdeenshire man is preparing to break a world record with a mammoth cross-continent bike ride – all while raising awareness for women with addiction.
Gordon Cruden is setting off next week to ride across 47 European countries on his motorcycle in just 30 days.
The 48-year-old he hopes to smash the current record of travelling non-stop through Europe’s capital cities, which stands at five, by reaching 10 in a row.
More importantly, Mr Cruden’s Euro Bike Challenge is a fundraising drive for the purchase of the Benaiah female residential centre near Mintlaw.
Mr Cruden, who grew up in Fraserburgh and now works for Teen Challenge in Fyvie and Mintlaw, said: “The main aim behind the Euro Bike Challenge is to raise awareness of the plight of women caught in addiction, whilst raising funds to purchase Benaiah, but to break a Guinness World Record in the process would be the absolute icing on the cake.
“It’ll be tough – but we’re confident we can achieve it.
“Our priority, however, is to shed light on the difficulties women encounter when battling with life-controlling addictions, and the need to provide them with effective help and support.
“Females have their own issues and hurdles to face when it comes to getting clean. One of which, if they are mothers, is the welfare of their children.”
The purchase of the Benaiah facility would allow women to continue to live with and support their young ones.
The Euro Bike Challenge marks the launch of a five-year campaign to raise the £500,000 required to buy Benaiah. The facility is currently rented.
Mr Cruden is setting off from Lisbon in Portugal on Wednesday, April 22.