A high-flying Perthshire businessman has swapped helicopters for a bike in a bid to raise £100,000 for a national institution.
Timothy Laing, known to his friends as Tiffy, has been training hard for a “crazy venture” a gruelling stage of the Tour de France.
The 58-year-old chairman of PDG Helicopters is undertaking the event on July 7 to provide opportunities for young musicians through the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (NYOS).
By the time the event comes round, Mr Laing, who lives at Murthly, estimates he will have covered over 2,500 miles of training during the eight months of preparation he has dedicated to the challenge.
“The Etape du Tour is one stage of the Tour de France which is made available for about 10,000 wannabes to take part in,” said Mr Laing, who is a director of the NYOS.
“Now in its 100th year, I am told that it is actually quite a short event at 130 kilometres but it includes about 4000 metres of climbing to make up for it.”
The former soldier, who served with the Scots Guards, will be accompanied by his 28-year-old son-in-law Jake French for the event and has trained with him whenever possible.
Anyone who would like to support Mr Laing’s endeavours can do so at www.justgiving.com/tiffylaing.