Aberdeen Man Takes On 235 Mile Cycle In Peru To Support Scotland’s Vulnerable Children

Aberdeen born Gideon Harmsworth will be taking on a gruelling 11-day, 235-mile cycle in memory of his late cousin and to raise vital funds for Aberlour Child Care Trust, Scotland’s largest children’s charity.

Gideon’s Inca Trail cycle challenge will take him to the lost city of Machu Picchu and deep into the rainforest of the Manu Biosphere Reserve. He sets off in just three months’ time and training is now underway.

Gideon explains: “I visited the Aberlour Family Service in Aberdeen where I met the team and some of the families they support. I heard all about their amazing work in helping disadvantaged children all over Scotland, but more specifically what they do locally with the money raised by supporting fundraisers. Their passion for helping children who don’t have the best start in life is exceptional and motivated me, even more, to raise money for them.”

“Last Christmas my family and I received devastating news that my cousin, Michael, had died under tragic circumstances. We had lived near each other in Aberdeen for 14 years but over the last four years we had grown particularly close. We would hang around everyday going fishing, cycling and walking. I found it very hard to deal with his death and found comfort in attending Catalyst Vineyard Central Church.”

“At Church we were taught to look after the poor and needy and to treat others how you wish to be treated. With this in mind, I decided to take on a challenge in memory of Michael and to raise money for charity.”

Aberlour is Scotland’s largest children’s charity and supports over 7,500 vulnerable children and their families across the country. Aberlour provide a range of services, including residential and fostering, recovery, early years, disability and early intervention, to help the young people and families they support to thrive.

With only three months until Gideon leaves for Peru he has been training hard in the gym, walking and swimming to prepare himself for this demanding challenge.

Gideon continues: “All donations are much appreciated; every penny counts, even a share of my JustGiving page would be of help.”

Catherine Thomas, Head of Fundraising at Aberlour, said: “Thousands of children and families in Scotland are at risk of crisis because of poverty, abuse and disability. Aberlour is working to reach more children and help them to cope, but this is only possible thanks to our amazing supporters. Fundraisers like Gideon are inspirational, he has taken a very traumatic time in his life and turned it into something positive for Scotland’s children. We wish him all the best with this training and will be supporting him every ‘pedal’ of the way.”

For more information on Gideon’s progress and his challenge contact Aberlour on freephone 0800 085 6150 or email fundraising@aberlour.org.uk

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