Etna ride: Steve Pirie and Fraser Band Pic: © Fraser Band
Two intrepid Perth bikers are to cross nine countries in just three days as part of a gruelling charity trek.
Fraser Band and Steve Pirie are aiming to raise £10,000 for the local PKAVS (Young Carers) charity by crossing 1500 miles of open road from the north of Europe to Mount Etna - one of the continent's most active volcanoes.
The journey will take them through Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Liechtenstein, France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, starting on August 14.
The pair say their epic journey - in the mould of the more famous trips taken by Star Wars actor Ewan McGregor and companion Charlie Boorman in the Long Way Round and Long Way Down TV series' - would provide much needed support for a worthwhile cause.
Steve, 50, said: "We're two pretty normal guys from Perth.
"We both have normal jobs and family lives and, in short, were pretty lucky. But through Frasers work as a photographer we began to learn more and more about what PKAVS does for young carers in Perthshire.
"They help young people who are not quite so lucky. Young people who care for their sick or disabled relatives 24/7/365.
"Young people who dont enjoy the pleasure of being children. Young people who work hard at school all day and work harder at home at night."
"We felt that PKAVS makes such a big difference to their lives by providing respite care, days out and generally giving them the rare opportunity to be themselves and we just felt compelled to do something to help."
Fraser, 37, added: "It will be a tough trip - but we know it is for a great cause so we'll just have to push on."
The pair are currently looking for sponsors to help them with logistical aspects of the trip including the ferry crossing from Rosyth to Zeebrugge, hotel accommodation across Europe and, most importantly, help with the bikes.
* For more information on A Ride to Etna visit the pair's newly launched website at www.artoe.co.uk
