A grandad living with multiple sclerosis (MS) has undertaken the challenge of completing a white water rafting experience on the river Tay to raise £1,000 for charity.
Iain Donaldson Elder, 60, is originally from Musselburgh but now living in Fife, and retired in 2016 after 25 years working in recruitment.
Being diagnosed with MS in 2009 and recently becoming a two-time grandfather, Iain says that he has undergone a “sort of age of awakening” where he decided that he would prove that age is just a number and that MS would not stop him from living life.
The grandad says that “being a grandad is a blessing, not a handicap” and that he would use this new found inner strength to raise funds for Leuchie House and the Walk With Scott Foundation (WWSF).
He will undertake the white water rafting experience on May 12 2022 down the deepest darkest reaches of the river Tay and will look to raise £500 for each charity.
On his fundraising efforts he said: “I have two kids, Peter, 37, who's wife Katey had my granddaughter Indie Savannah Elder in October last year and a daughter Laura, 39, who also gave me a granddaughter in August last year named Aria.
“Becoming 60 and becoming a grandfather within a few months of each other as well as suffering from MS since 2009 gave me a sort of age of awakening.
“So I decided that I would prove that age is indeed only a number, that MS will not stop me living my life and that being a grandad is a blessing not a handicap,
“The white water rafting was a suggestion from Leuchie and I am really looking forward to it. There are two carers from Leuchie doing it with me, Leah and Lyndsay.
“Leuchie is so important to me as it is a wonderful place that allows me to go on respite and allows Jaz to know that I am safe and being well cared for.
“It has also become my spiritual home and it feels more like meeting up with extended family than a respite break when I go.
“I may be an MS sufferer but my wife Jaz also suffers by having to care for me and with her own health not keeping well. So it is good when she gets the opportunity to get a bit of time herself knowing I’m being looked after.”
Leuchie House is dedicated to supporting people living with the long-term effects of conditions such as MS, MND, Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions through individualised respite breaks, and by providing an essential break for carers.
Their specialist team uses an enabling approach in a stunning location in the East Lothian countryside. Their beautiful home offers short breaks with 24 hour care.
Whereas WWSF is a community driven charity based in East Lothian, that promotes health and wellbeing in the community, supports mental health and inclusion and supports communities in East Lothian by organising events and giving grants.
Iain continued: “MS is a debilitating condition and I realise that I am not the man I was pre MS.
“Prior to retirement I helped charities with donations but since then I am not able to give as much, so I am now trying to donate my time to fundraise.
“In 2017 I completed a sponsored microflights to raise money for Leuchie House and from 2018 we have carried out several fundraisers for both charities.
“I like to prove to myself and people in general that just because I am disabled, it does not mean that I am dead and I am still able to contribute to society in other ways.
“Jaz and I’s mantra is that there is always somebody worse off than us and that is what has kept me going through my battle with MS.
“The illness affects everyone differently, but the people I meet that have learned to live with the condition and cope with it are generally those that live each day to its fullest.”
To support Iain in his endeavour, please visit his JustGiving page to donate here.
You can also visit Leuchie House website for more information on the services they offer here.
And you can visit the WWSF charity website for further details here.
