Rugby ace’sdad tribute
Ayr rugby star Gordy Reid is pledging to walk the miles in honour of his late father.
The Scotland cap, 34, will take part in this month’s virtual Kiltwalk in memory of his dad, also Gordon.
Popular Gordy is bidding to walk 500 miles, including the virtual Kiltwalk, and raise thousands for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.
The prop will also gather memorabilia from pals in the sporting world for a charity auction later in the year.
And he’s even got plans for an attempt at a Guinness World Record.
The prompt for his fundraiser was the sudden loss of his father to a heart attack at the age of 65 last year.
The dad-of-two said: “The heart attack came completely out of the blue. Dad had been totally fine before it. But his own father had died unexpectedly in his 50s of a heart attack, as did my mum Pat’s father. We were all stunned and are really still getting over the loss.
“I wanted to do something positive in his name.
“My wife Marissa and I did some research, and we thought Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland was a great fit with what we are trying to achieve.
“The charity not only helps people with the physical effects of a heart attack or stroke but also with the mental health issues that can affect those who survive the condition and those who are grieving the loss of someone they love. Everything they stand for and do is something I want to support.”
Gordon, who moved back to his native Ayrshire last year after two years playing with London Irish, isn’t letting a little thing like a sore leg stop him.He started his 500-mile challenge on April 2 and has already had to consult a physio because of the pain.
He said: “The phyiso told me I needed to stop and rest.
“But there’s no chance of that.
“I’m committed to this, so sore leg or not.”
The kiltwalk takes place on April 23- 25. You can support Gordon in his Virtual Kiltwalk by visiting www.virtual. thekiltwalk.co.uk/ and searching Gordon Reid.