TWO workmates are getting ready to swap East Lothian’s roads for a charity adventure across mainland Europe.

Next month, Gary McEwan and Alan Ramsay, 48, will head through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and, finally, Italy to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Gary, who lives near Spott, explained the 3,000-mile trip was for a cause that meant a lot to him.

The 44-year-old said: “Last year, I lost my mum, Marion, and dad, George, within six weeks of each other.

“Macmillan nurses were there looking after them and I’m doing this to kind of pay them back.”

George died on February 14, aged 78, from heart problems while Marion passed away from lymphoma cancer at the age of 79 on March 27.

Almost 4,000 Macmillan nurses are employed across Great Britain, both in hospitals and the community.

All Macmillan nurses are registered with at least five years’ experience, including two or more years in cancer or palliative care.

They have completed specialist courses in pain and symptom management, and psychological support.

Most of the nurses work in NHS hospitals or the community.

As specialists they do not routinely undertake nursing care but are there to assess complex needs, give advice to other healthcare professionals and support people with cancer to understand their treatment options.

Gary and Alan, who both work for Amey, have already selected their car as they get ready to take part in the Screwball Rally.

The charity rally, which is not a race, will see teams from across the country head to Dover and then on to France.

Each team will have their own car, which can cost up to £750.

Gary and Alan, from Middleton, Midlothian, have already bought a £700 MGF convertible, with 58,000 miles on the clock, to take them on the adventure.

It received the once over from J&A Coachworks, in Dunbar, at the weekend and is now nearly ready to hit the open road.

Gary said: “We’ve never done anything like this before.

“We were going to do it up like Mario Kart but the car is so small that if we had to stick on various stickers then you would not be able to see the sponsors.”

Already, Gary has set himself the challenge of raising £2,000 for the charity with more than a quarter of the total already collected.

To make a donation, go to https://www.justgiving.com/screwball2015,