Two Leven men are turning the pedals on a mammoth cycle challenge to raise money for veterans’ charity Poppyscotland.
Sandy Cunningham, 45 and Thomas Bremner, 40, set off from their home town on Saturday and are making their way to the Menin Gate in Belgium covering 750 miles in six days.
They have cycled through Yorkshire and the duo have booked a ferry at Dover. After landing at Calais they will continue through France towards Belgium.
The Flying Fifers aim to arrive in Ypres, where the Menin Gate was built, on Thursday. The next day they will lay a wreath at the memorial and take part in the poignant Last Post ceremony.
Ex-serviceman Thomas, who served in the Royal Corps of Signals for nine years and now works for Bremner Builders, said: “We are overwhelmed by the support we have received already from people donating or giving their time and services to help.
“Poppyscotland is a cause close to our hearts and we want to raise as much money as possible to give something back in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice during two horrible world wars.
“This is also to help the men and women of the armed forces who need support now from Poppyscotland.”
Sandy, who works for Scottish Water, has another special reason for raising funds for Poppyscotland.
He said: “When I joined the water board in 1984 on a youth training scheme my boss was Tam Lorimer from Cupar. He trained me and encouraged me to stick in to get a full-time job when unemployment was high.
“He was a pipe corporal in the Royal Scots Greys and through his mentoring at work, I turned out the way I did and for that I will always be grateful.”
After Tam passed away from motor neurone disease, Sandy and Thomas took part in a fundraising half marathon in his memory. And since then, they have raised thousands of pounds for different charities.
The money raised through their Cycle of Remembrance will help support Poppyscotland’s work in delivering vital services to the armed forces community living in Scotland.
To sponsor the charity effort, visit the fundraising page www.justgiving.com/cycleofremembrance.