An avid cyclist and self-confessed “fat lad at the back” hopes to raise more than £5,000 for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance this month.
James Aitken from Bridge of Earn began cycling eight years ago following concerns his weight had crept up over the years from 16 to 25 stone.
Since then the former Howe of Fife rugby player has been a frequent contributor to charity by cycling.
Mr Aitken says he “loves his fish suppers too much to see the benefit” but has vowed to help a charity that supports “vulnerable” cyclists who go out over arduous terrain.
On May 30 the 57-year-old undertakes the Cairn o’ Mount Challenge with Moira Walls, cycling to the famous viewpoint from Edzell, towards Banchory, down to Stonehaven, Inverbervie and then over the hills back to Edzell.
There is a collection bucket on the counter of his favourite chippy The Fish and Chip Company in Craigie cross, Perth, and Mr Aitken has a fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/Jim-Aitken6.
“It’s a local charity and the money doesn’t go into a black hole,” he said of SCAA.
“As cyclists we are very vulnerable and any one of us may require their assistance one day to save our lives.
“I appealed through the Masonic network in Fife, Perthshire east and Angus and so far I’ve had £2600 returned in cheques.”
Mr Aitken is an active Lodge member and is well known as a Burns scholar and performer.
He plays fiddle and compres at Newburgh Accordion and Fiddle Club.
He has previously taken on the Kinross Sportive raising £5,000 for CHAS, and wants to cycle to John o’ Groats for Cancer Research with friends from Lomond Ceilidh Band next year.
He raised £1,700 for Marie Curie during his second Etape Caledonia last year and £1,800 for Prostate Scotland with fellow Abdie Cycling Club member Moira Walls.
See @jimaitkenabdie on Twitter to follow Mr Aitken’s progress.