Tain alcohol addiction support programme founder tackles NC500 on a unicycle to raise awareness of 'revolutionary' treatment method
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A MAN tackling the NC500 on a unicycle to raise awareness of a revolutionary way of treating alcohol dependency is being encouraged along the way by people who have lost loved ones to the condition.
Bruce Rose (55), who runs Alcohol Recovery Scotland from a base near Tain, took on the gruelling challenge to raise awareness of The Sinclair Method (TSM), using an NHS-licensed medication called Naltrexone alongside a one-to-one programme targeted at individual alcoholics.
Mr Rose also hopes to raise £10,000 to help with the costs of running Alcohol Recovery Scotland. Donations can be made here.
He set out on the tourism route from Inverness on Saturday, September 17, accompanied by a support team. He anticipates it will take him three weeks at an average speed of around 20 miles per day.
Speaking in Wester Ross a week in to the challenge, he said: "People have been so supportive and amazing and awareness and fundraising is going well. My body is feeling okay, albeit tired and no serious issues as yet.
"Awareness for The Sinclair Method (TSM) is building which is great and we are getting the message out there that alcohol addiction today, thanks to 25 years research and 125 clinical trials is completely treatable today. Having run the programme here in Scotland for 3.5 years, our pilot project shows clearly that we can revolutionise alcohol recovery here in Scotland where it is desperately needed.
"People are approaching us with stories of loved ones they have lost through alcohol dependency. Our NC500 unicycle is definitely letting people know that anyone struggling with alcohol dependency can now live in hope knowing there is a solution."
The rest day near Gairloch was well timed with 41mph winds stopping the ride.
Mr Rose said: "My crank did come off at one point that caused me to fall off but no serious injury thankfully.
"Bealach Na Ba was defeated as was the coastal road from Applecross to Sheildaig. Our next section from Gairloch to Ullapool is a bit hilly but nothing we cannot overcome.Everyday is a hard ride up and down hills but the support team have been amazing."
He has hailed the support of sponsors making the trip possible. They include: Adventure Motorhome Hire, Dunfermline; Pat Munro's; Asda; Tesco; Morrisons; Librizzi International; Dornoch Bike Hire; Branding by Amber.
