A pair of pals from Kilmarnock are gearing up to travel 1,500 kilometres across Italy in a three-wheeled Piaggio Ape to coin in cash for a charity close to their hearts.
Lorenzo D’Andrea, 59, and Tom Adam, 61, will spend three weeks on the road — both driving and sleeping in the renovated vehicle — to spread awareness on mental health and addiction, and give back to River Garden Auchincruive, in Ayr, for the help they gave to Lorenzo’s son Seb.
The charity help people recover from drug and alcohol addiction by offering a long-term residential programme and harness skills via a range of jobs including horticulture, woodwork, and cooking.
Now, thanks to the charity and its support, Seb, 35, has turned his life around and is living in his own home in Kilmarnock, training to be a gas engineer and enjoying a life free from drugs.
Dad Lorenzo, former owner of Dandrea Vehicle Repair specialists, Kilmarnock, fully restored the 1998 Piaggio Ape — dubbed ‘Braveheart Giro D’Italia’ — himself, kitting it out with a roof box tent and solar panels.
And with a max speed of just 35mph, Lorenzo and Tom will avoid the motorways, taking the more scenic route through the Apennine Mountains as they complete a loop from starting point Celano, Abruzzo, where Loreno’s family come from, on July 3.
Braveheart Giro D’Italia can take up to 750kg of weight and will be stocked up with water, fuel, supplies and even a portable toilet and shower.
Lorenzo’s wife and Seb’s mum Ali, 56, said: “This is going to be quite a challenge but River Garden are amazing and have changed my son’s life, and his family’s life.
“Seb is thriving. He’s completely different.
“He’s got a home, a wonderful girlfriend, and he’s come out and just blossomed.
“This trip is really because we want to give something back to them."
Ali, who has taken on the admin and social media for the fundraiser, has also been in touch with all the supercar factories in Italy and has teed up for Lorenzo and Tom to visit the Piaggio museum.
And the team has even secured the official support of Mayor Settimio Santilli and the Comune di Celano.
She said: “The people of Celano have been amazing — I think because they know Lorenzo and his family so well.
“I think they felt our pain when Seb was not good.
Ali added: “I will be forever grateful to River Garden, so raising awareness on mental health and addiction and fund raising for them are really important to me and my family.”
You can donate at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/braveheartgiro
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