A north-east biker is nearing the end of a gruelling 15,000-mile ride across Europe to help addicts on the road to recovery.
Gordon Cruden is taking part in the Euro Bike Challenge and is attempting to cross 47 countries the length and breath of Europe in just 30 days.
The 48-year-old’s efforts have all be in aid of women suffering from addiction – raising money to buy the Benaiah female residential centre near Mintlaw.
The Teen Challenge worker set off last month, and has already reached 33 countries but his journey has not been without its difficulties.
The motorbike enthusiast from Fraserburgh has had to contend with pot-holes, “ticket-happy” policemen and traffic chaos in the heart of Madrid when he arrived as a Champions League quarter final tie between the city’s two sides was underway.
Last night, Mr Cruden’s colleague Paul Beaton said: “Gordon is using the initiative to highlight the plight of women in addiction and to raise money for the purchase of female residential centre, Benaiah, near Mintlaw, with the challenge launching a five-year campaign to raise the £500,000 required to buy the property.”
The facility – which allows mothers to continue living with their children while they complete the 48-week addiction recovery programme, Teen Challenge – is currently rented.
Mr Beaton continued: “However, the purchase of the property would mean it could provide hurting women with residential support on a permanent basis.
“And that’s what the Euro Bike Challenge is all about – shining a light on the plight of women trapped in the horror of addiction.
“The aim now is for the organisation’s supporters to cheer Gordon all the way home to Scotland next week – 15,000 miles done and dusted and a giant step closer to making the buy Benaiah dream a reality.”
Expected to return home next week, Mr Cruden is also attempting to smash the current record of travelling non-stop through Europe’s capital cities – which stands at five – by reaching 10 in a row.