A Fraserburgh man who is attempting to live homeless on the streets of major UK cities for a month to raise money for charity is returning to the north-east for the final leg of his tour.
Gordon Cruden left his home on October 21 to spend 30 days in doorways to raise money for the Teen Challenge project in Mintlaw.
Today, the 48-year-old will begin a three day spell sleeping rough in Aberdeen city centre – the final days of his mission.
Mr Cruden posted a message on social media last night to say that he will visit the Social Bite cafe in Union Street to find out about their work with local homeless people.
However he stressed that his efforts this week are “unofficial” and that no support can be provided to volunteers who wish to take part.
He said: “I will be sleeping rough though and if you chose to, I will not and cannot be responsible for your safety and well-being or helping you find a safe place to sleep. So if you were thinking you were coming to an organised event there is not one.
“The whole purpose of this challenge has been to bring the plight of the homeless to our attention and to highlight services.”
Mr Cruden has asked that anyone who still wants to join him contacts him privately on social media.
So far the homelessness initiative – and a sponsored motorbike ride across Europe – has helped raise more than £200,000 for the Teen Challenge project near Mintlaw.
He began sleeping rough in London, before he moved on to Cardiff, Belfast Edinburgh, to highlight the myriad problems faced by homeless people and boost efforts to secure a permanent base for the project’s female addiction-recovery course.
The charity faces an uncertain future without the Benaiah Centre, which allows mums to live with their children while doing a 48-week recovery programme.