A Scots bus driver is set to take on a gruelling challenge in memory of his dad who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease after initially noticing something was wrong with his golf club grip.
Gregor Miller, from Edinburgh, will be taking on 'five bonkers runs in five months' to raise awareness of MND after his dad Campbell Miller died from the deadly illness. He was diagnosed after noticing he was unable to grip a golf club normally before being told he only had two years to live. In 2019, he sadly passed away.
Since then Gregor, 51, has raised thousands of pounds for the Doddie Weir Foundation and his latest challenge will include a 51 miles run from Glasgow Botanic Gardens to Tynecastle Stadium this Sunday, where he is set to run out on the pitch at half time between Hearts and Celtic.
Gregor, who is originally from Alloa, told Edinburgh Live: "My dad was an avid golfer and that is how he found out he had motor neurone disease, he played golf three or four times a week when he retired from the police service.
"He found out he couldn't grip his club any longer and the health professionals thought it was carpal tunnel disease."
After a physio told Campbell he should go and see a specialist they were given the heartbreaking news of his diagnosis. The family were dealt another devastating blow when they were informed Campbell only had two years to live.
Gregor's dad's condition started to deteriorate quickly. He explained: "It is tough to see someone that who played lots of sport be like this, my dad played football, he played golf and he was a good runner. I certainly will be thinking of him on October 1 when I finish my events. I planned it for then because that is his birthday."
The Lothians bus driver's challenge includes the 51 miles run this week as well as a half-marathon in Inverness, a full marathon Manchester, a 100 mile run around the University of Stirling's running track and a staggering 160 mile in 40 hours run from Inverness to Tynecastle Stadium in Edinburgh which will take him two days.
Any cash raised will be split between three different charities; MND Scotland, My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and the University of Edinburgh's Euan MacDonald Centre.
Gregor added: "We have lived with MND and the disaster that is causes so I decided to have this wee challenge. Doddie Weir was diagnosed six months after my dad.
"I am really after as much help and as much support as I can to try and get the word out there and try to raise awareness for the three charities. The causes mean so much to me and my family and I just hope I've got the energy to fulfil it."
In 2021, Gregor ran from Stirling Castle to Edinburgh Castle in a 36 mile long journey and raised over £20,000.
To donate to fundraiser for this challenge click here.
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