A 20-year-old Fife man who has survived five heart attacks plans to defy doctors by cycling 450 miles across Scotland.
Colin Sutherland has three holes in his heart and his parents were warned he was unlikely to live beyond the age of eight.
But the betting shop assistant is determined to take a gamble with his own life by cycling from John o’ Groats to Kirkmaiden in Dumfries and Galloway.
Colin, from Lochgelly, is to undertake the six-day charity ride in July against the advice of his doctor and in the face of pleas from his fiance and family to stay at home.
He has suffered from tachycardia arrhythmia since birth. The holes in his heart can trap air and stop the organ beating. At other times, his heart rate can be four times the normal rate.
The trip from the most northerly point in Scotland to the most southerly will raise at least £3,000 for a cancer charity in memory of his grandparents, whose lives were claimed by the disease.
Colin said: “I’ve just got to live my life. You can’t walk about thinking about how your life is going to end. I’m not the type to just sit down and accept things.”
Of his motivation for the journey, he said: “My grandad died five years ago from throat cancer and my gran died just over a year ago.
“I was very close to my grandad and, growing up, he was my best friend as well, so I want to raise money for Cancer Research.
“I always spoke about doing something to raise money and when I got out of hospital I thought it was time to do it, not just talk about it.
Colin is due to marry fiance Danielle on August 21 just days after completing the journey. He said that while she is worried for him, she has given her blessing for the trip.
To donate to Colin’s fundraising efforts, visit his JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/Vicki-Lister.