A Peterhead man who cycled hundreds of miles to raise money for a stillborn charity has been honoured by his local authority.
Martin Bagshaw raised £21,000 in memory of his friends’ stillborn child.
The Aberdeen FC supporter cycled more than 600 miles from his north-east home to the Dons’ Pittodrie Stadium by way of 15 other Scottish grounds.
The 29-year-old has now handed the money over to Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, after his friends Mark and Lisa Hay’s son, Archie, was stillborn on Boxing Day.
He has also been honoured by Aberdeenshire Council who have given him a “pride of Buchan” award.
Local councillor Stuart Pratt handed Mr Bagshaw the award during a small ceremony in Peterhead.
He said it paid tribute to the work of extraordinary men and women within the community.
“We give the award to people who have gone that extra mile and proved that the Buchan area is a good place to live and work,” he added.
Mr Bagshaw described the charity effort as the “greatest achievement” of his life – other than his marriage to “best friend” Lyndsey.
He said: “Initially, all I wanted to do was help Mark and Lisa through their sad time, but this has grown and become so much more. The money we raised is enough for Sands to support 697 families in their time of need.
“It’s been an honour. This is for Archie.”
The football world had thrown its support behind the fundraiser.
During his epic journey, Mr Bagshaw rode laps of honour at several stadiums, and items donated for auction included signed strips from Aberdeen, Hearts, Hamilton, Dundee United, Motherwell and Celtic.
Rangers gave Mr Bagshaw a signed photograph of striker Kenny Miller and Partick Thistle provided a signed ball to be put up for auction.
A Sands memorial garden is currently situated in Mintlaw’s Aden Country Park.
It is the venue where families gather every year to release hundreds of balloons into the air in remembrance to the children lost through stillbirth.