Journey to honour cancer mother

A man from Kinross has set off on his scooter to Morocco with the aim of raising £100,000 for charity.

Sam Wightman, 28, will spend the next 20 days or so travelling to Africa and back on the Honda Dylan.

His girlfriend and two friends are along for the ride - carrying his food and fuel supplies and driving a support vehicle.

Mr Wightman began fundraising for Cancer Research UK after his mother died from the disease in 1988.

The team set off from Auchterarder at about 1000 BST on Monday.

They will travel through places such as Rouen, Valencia and Granada before returning to Auchterarder on 22 June, if all goes to plan.

The route is approximately 4,500 miles.

Mr Wightman said: "My mother actually passed away when she was 28 and, because I've just turned 28, I though I'd mark this year by making a difference for Cancer Research UK."

He knows it is not going to be an easy task to get to Morocco and back.

"There's always the comfort factor and the heat," he said.

"I'm standing in the biker gear at the minute and it's absolutely roasting, so I daren't think what it's going to be like in France and Spain and even Morocco."

However, he told the BBC Scotland news website that there would be some highlights as well.

"I think getting to Morrocco at the turning point and getting back home," he said.

"I've worked so hard all year round putting this together."

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