An Ayrshire businessman is celebrating even before he reaches the start line of this Sunday’s Great Scottish Run — after passing the £50,000 mark in funds raised for MND Scotland.
Adrian Murphy set up his Monster Challenge for the charity with the aim of raising £40,000, a nod to the recent 40th birthdays of both himself and of MND Scotland.
Adrian, originally from Ayr, has been inspired to take on the mammoth fundraiser because of his brother Brian, who is living with motor neuron disease (MND).
Adrian already conquered a Monster Triathlon — 5km swim, 1000km cycle and 50km run — in just a week during the summer.
It was amongst a raft of other physical challenges including the Edinburgh Marathon and Cork Ironman.
Now, this Sunday, Adrian will be joined in Glasgow by around 50 other runners wearing MND Scotland colours during the popular 10k and half marathon races — in the city he now calls home.
The CEO of Glasgow-based Murphy Wealth as well as chairman of MND Scotland, Adrian was thrilled to this week see his team fundraising total tick past £50,000, entirely apt after he spent last weekend with family celebrating Brian’s 50th birthday.
Reflecting on the achievement, Adrian was quick to heap praise on the Scottish business community, saying: “At the start of this challenge I felt getting to £40,000 was an ambitious enough target so to pass the £50,000 and yet still see that total ticking upwards really is something special and quite humbling.
“It’s a cliché but none of it would be possible without the support of so many people and organisations. In particular we’ve received incredible backing from a long list of major donors in the west of Scotland business community.
“And I’m thrilled so many of them will be there on Sunday for the Great Scottish Run and then a gathering at the Radisson Red afterwards.”
Major donors to Adrian’s Monster Challenge for MND Scotland include: Cail Bruich, McDonald's, Glasgow Angling Centre, A&G King Timber Ltd, Nova Dog Chews, Allied Vehicles, Kained Holdings, Scott McQuilkin – McQuilkin, Russell & Russell, Redpath Bruce, Johnston Carmichael, Nick and Lynne Williams - Marble Fashions, Redpath Bruce and Nucleus.
Adrian added: “The most important outcome, of course, is the funds will go directly to MND Scotland to support their ongoing research which will make a real difference to people like Brian in the future.
“And finally, if anyone reading this wishes to support the challenge there’s still time to enter the race, set up a fundraising team or simply make a donation – my sincere thanks to everyone who has done so to date.”
You can continue to follow Adrian’s Monster Challenge journey this weekend, via his dedicated Monster Challenge social media channels: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can donate here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/adrian-murphymndmonsterchallenge.
Alternatively, text MND40S to 70470 to donate £10.
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