Two cyclists are attempting to visit every senior football ground in Scotland in support of a lifesaving charity.
Scott Cruickshank and Michael Bain are taking on the 1,300 mile challenge in memory of Scott’s late cousin Gary Stewart.
He tragically died of an undiagnosed heart condition at the age of just 22-years-old in 2011.
The two cyclists, also both from Mintlaw in Aberdeenshire, dreamed up the challenging route to raise funds for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young. (Cry)
They will visit every SPFL and Highland League ground on the gruelling road challenge.
They will take in 60 football grounds, having started at Inverurie Locos on Sunday, September 14 and planning on finishing at Aberdeen FC’s stadium Pittodrie on Saturday, September 27.
In between they will go as far north as Wick, as far south as Stranraer and even take a quick trip across the border to visit Berwick.
They will even take a trip to the home of Scottish rugby, Murrayfield, while in Edinburgh.
Yesterday the two cyclists were in Inverness to visit Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Clachnacuddin’s Grant Street Park while travelling to Brora Rangers and the far north.
Mr Cruickshank said: “I am part of the Gary Stewart Memorial Committee which was set up at the start of 2012 after Gary’s death.
“The committee consists of Gary’s close family and friends – his mother, father and brother included.
“The cycle ride will cover 1,300 miles across 14 days, taking in 60 different football grounds, covering practically the whole of Scotland.”
The fundraising committee have already raised more than £15,000 for the charity and in August hosted a heart screening session in Mintlaw to carry out detailed heart scans on more than 100 people between the ages of 18 and 35-years-old.
Fundraising for the cycle ride has already brought in more than more than £1,000 including £950 from a buttery morning and £450 from individual donations.
Bricklayer Mr Stewart was found unconscious at home in December 2011.
He was taken to Peterhead Community Hospital but died later the same day.
He lived with his father Ian, a joiner, and mother Olive and an older brother Wayne at Chapelpark in Mintlaw.