A group of cyclists from bp are to take part in a coast-to-coast challenge across Scotland in memory of their colleague, who died suddenly last year at the age of 45.
More than 50 riders and support crew will take on the 2026 bp Coast 2 Coast cycling challenge in June, covering around 240 miles across Scotland to raise funds for four community charities.
This year, Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust (AFCCT) was nominated by Steve Karim, strategic integration advisor for bp and a member of the Coast 2 Coast support team, in memory of his friend and colleague Fraser Buchan.
Avid Dons fan Fraser passed away in Shetland in November, leaving behind his wife Erica and two sons, Murray and Finlay.
Steve knew how passionate Fraser was about the charity and chose the Trust as a lasting tribute to the impact he made on young people and the local community.
Steve and Fraser sat side-by-side at work for several years and built a close friendship, sharing everything from padel court matches and golf to nights out, where Fraser famously joked about adding cola to his dram.
“Fraser was a lovely guy with a heart of gold,” Steve said. “He always had people’s best interests at heart and was always there to help and support us. He had a wicked sense of humour and was fiercely competitive on the padel court.
“We became close colleagues and friends, and I knew how passionate he was about football and about the community trust. Nominating AFCCT felt like the right way to honour him.”
Fraser, who was the West of Shetland export lead at for bp, was deeply involved with the AFCCT for more than eight years.
He coached his sons’ teams, volunteered with local youth football and in 2024 was named AFCCT Primary School Fairplay Coach of the Year.
A lifelong Dons supporter and season ticket holder at Pittodrie Stadium, he believed strongly in the power of football to build confidence, resilience and belonging among young people.
Fraser’s wife, Erica, said: “Fraser was passionate about giving every child the opportunity to play and enjoy football, no matter their background or ability. He believed in teamwork, fairness and inclusion, and he was so proud of the work the trust does to support children and families across the community. He would be incredibly proud to know that his colleagues taking part in Coast 2 Coast are raising funds for AFCCT in his memory.
“Fraser was a huge fan of the Dons from an early age and was directly involved with the Trust, both as a lead coach for the Milltimber School Football Team and while volunteering with Culter Youth Football Club.
“He was proud to win the AFCCT Primary School Fairplay Coach of the Year award and recognised the benefits football brings including teamwork, confidence and life skills and wanted every child, regardless of background or ability, to have the same opportunities.”
The annual fundraising ride, taking place from June 4-7, will begin on the west coast in Ullapool, travelling through Beauly and Elgin, before finishing in Aberdeen.
Participants will cycle the length of the country to support The Archie Foundation, Instant Neighbour and Arbroath Football Club Community Trust, as well as Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust.
Now in its 17th year, The Coast 2 Coast challenge has become a highlight of bp’s annual fundraising calendar, bringing colleagues together to test their endurance while supporting charities that make a tangible difference locally and has raised more than £2.5million for good causes.
Every year, employees of bp North Sea vote for the charities which will benefit from the proceeds of the cycle. Their fundraising efforts are then match-funded by the bp Foundation.
Donations raised through Coast 2 Coast will support AFCCT’s work promoting equality, health and wellbeing, and access to sport for children and families across the north-east.
As part of Aberdeen FC Community Trust Day on Saturday, Coast 2 Coast riders completed a 27-mile training ride from Pittodrie Stadium.
Peter Davidson, chief executive of AFCCT said: “We’re hugely grateful to Steve and everyone taking on the bp Coast 2 Coast challenge in Fraser’s memory. I didn’t know Fraser personally, but I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the impact he had through football and in his community. To see his colleagues honouring him in this way, and raising funds to support local children and families, means a great deal to us all at AFCCT.”
To sponsor one of the four Coast 2 Coast charities, you can select your preferred cause and click the link below:
Aberdeen FC Community Trust - Team fundraising for Aberdeen FC Community Trust is fundraising for Aberdeen FC Community Trust
Archie Foundation - Team fundraising for The Archie Foundation is fundraising for The Archie Foundation
Arbroath FC Community Trust Team fundraising for Arbroath FC Community Trust is fundraising for Arbroath FC Community Trust
Instant Neighbour - Team fundraising for Instant Neighbour Aberdeen is fundraising for Instant Neighbour Aberdeen