My name is Paul Riddell, a 50-year-old father-of-two and businessman who lives in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

Like many others, my family has been affected in recent years by child mental ill-health and adult dementia. At times, dealing with the consequences of these medical conditions is, frankly, extremely difficult.

One of my coping mechanisms is exercise, and cycling in particular. So I have decided to undertake the challenge of riding from the most easterly point in the Scottish mainland to the most westerly, on a 450 km route that takes in some of Scotland’s most amazing scenery, across two days, 3rd and 4th June 2022.

The purpose of the ride is to raise funds for Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), which is part of the NHS, and Brain Health Scotland (BHS), which is hosted and supported by Alzheimer Scotland and seeks to inspire and empower people to protect their brain health and reduce their risk of diseases that lead to dementia.

My aim is to raise £10,000, to be split 50:50 between CAMHS (via the Archie Foundation) and BHS.

I will also be making a short film about the challenge in the hope of inspiring others, if not to take on a major charity fundraising effort then to get out and do some exercise. It is incredibly beneficial for your physical and mental health, especially as you get older. And, as I have found, you’ll be surprised what you can achieve.

If you are able to support me in any way, I would be most grateful.