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Easter Ross man's 'crazy' NC500 unicycle challenge aims to raise awareness of Sinclair Method alcohol dependency reduction scheme boasting 'unheard of' success rate


By Hector MacKenzie

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Bruce at home with his unicycle.
Bruce at home with his unicycle.

AN Easter Ross man is set to unicycle the North Coast 500 on a mission to help recovering alcoholics, writes Graham Smith.

Bruce Rose will start the NC500 Unicycle challenge – riding on a bike with one wheel – from Inverness Castle on September 9.

He hopes to complete the 516-mile route around the north coast of Scotland within three weeks.

Bruce, who bought his first unicycle 18 months ago, is training hard by unicycling 10-15 miles a day from his home just outside Tain, which he shares with wife Mandy and their two Parson Russell terriers.

"I was looking for something as crazy as possible to raise as much awareness as possible. I believe that TSM can revolutionise alcohol recovery and a unicycle is a great way of drawing attention to the cause."
Bruce training on the Bealach Na Ba at Applecross. He said: “I unicycled the Bealach before Christmas with the belief that if I could conquer that on a unicycle then I could ride the rest of the NC500.”
Bruce training on the Bealach Na Ba at Applecross. He said: “I unicycled the Bealach before Christmas with the belief that if I could conquer that on a unicycle then I could ride the rest of the NC500.”

He aims raise awareness of The Sinclair Method, a way of reducing alcohol dependency using an NHS-licensed medication called Naltrexone alongside a one-to-one programme targeted at the individual alcoholic.

Bruce (55) set up the not for profit Alcohol Recovery Scotland, which he runs from home, three years ago.

He said: “I worked in alcohol and drug rehab management for a number of years. The first rehab I managed had to close due to funding issues. I was searching online for a cheaper model which was easy to duplicate, and came across The Sinclair Method (TSM), which is the result of more than 125 clinical trials worldwide and 30 years of research by Dr David Sinclair and his team. It has a success rate of 78 per cent – unheard of in alcohol recovery.

It will be a labour of love - and quite the challenge!
It will be a labour of love - and quite the challenge!

“I was looking for something as crazy as possible to raise as much awareness as possible. I believe that TSM can revolutionise alcohol recovery and a unicycle is a great way of drawing attention to the cause. When people see me training, it always draws a reaction.”

Alcohol Recovery Scotland offers a confidential service backed up by staff with medical training and people in recovery from alcohol abuse.

"For some of us enjoying a glass of wine with a meal or a few pints at the pub with friends escalates until alcohol starts to impact the most important aspects of our lives – family, friends, home and work."

He added: “Scotland is known the world over for its many fine whisky distilleries and a culture of social drinking. For 9 out 10 of us, drinking is an enjoyable pastime, but this is not the case for everyone. For some of us enjoying a glass of wine with a meal or a few pints at the pub with friends escalates until alcohol starts to impact the most important aspects of our lives – family, friends, home and work."

Various treatment methods are available but he insists "one size does not fit all". He said: “Thousands of people in Scotland suffer from alcoholism, hence the reason to raise awareness with my NC500 Unicycle.”

Wife Mandy and various friends will provide back-up. He and his team will be sleeping in a six-berth campervan supplied by Adventure Motorhome Hire in Dunfermline.

David Cross from Dornoch, who also works in the alcohol addiction field, though not yet TSM, has agreed to be bicycle support rider. He has worked in rehab centres and the addiction field for a number of years and is keen to support the effort.

Bruce is still seeking a transit van support van to carry spare parts, tools, unicycles and drinks.

The Asda store in Tain is giving vouchers for food and water. Other sponsors are Branding by Amber in Tain, Librizzi International from South Queensferry, Royal Dornoch Golf Club and Unicycle.com

Anyone wishing to sponsor Bruce, or help his challenge, can email him on bruce@alcoholrecoveryscotland.co.uk

More on Alcohol Recovery Scotland at www.alcoholrecoveryscotland.co.uk/

A gofundme link to sponsor him can be found here.


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