Graeme’s on right track to raise MND charity cash
NIKI TENNANT
A Rutherglen man is preparing to take on a gruelling six-day trek along the Great Wall of China to raise cash for charity MND Scotland.
Graeme Gordon, 40, has worked in the rail industry for 21 years and has for 14 years been with ScotRail, which named MND Scotland as its chosen charity partner for 2017 to 2020.
Since 2017, staff and customers have been working hard to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and funds for MND Scotland.
Now dad-of-three Graeme is playing his part in raising funds for the partnership, alongside colleagues Kelly Long and Phil Campbell.
The trio will join 40 other MND Scotland fundraisers for this epic challenge on September 14, when they are due to jet off to Beijing.
Graeme said: “I’ve seen firsthand the support MND Scotland provides for those who are affected by Motor Neurone Disease, so when the opportunity came up through the ScotRail Alliance to take part in this challenge I jumped at the chance as I wanted to raise awareness and funds for such a worthwhile cause.
“The Great Wall of China is one of the greatest sights in the world.
“I’m most looking forward to enjoying the beautiful scenery and incredible architecture and to take in some of the sights in and around Beijing will be an added bonus.”
Graeme, Kelly and Phil have joined forces to raise funds for MND Scotland around the office.
With a target of £11,200, the team is well on its way to reaching its goal, with over £6,000 raised already.
Graeme added: “Looking at the itinerary for our trip to the Great Wall, it looks like we will be climbing lots of stairs.
“While I don’t have any problem walking several miles each day, walking up flights of stairs is another thing! So I’ll be joining some of the other challengers to walk some local hills.
“I’ve always planned to walk Goat Fell, so it will be great to do that in May.
“Our Springer Spaniel, Serge, loves to go on long walks, so most Saturday and Sunday afternoons I’m out at Chatelherault Country Park or Mugdock Country Park.
“Also, my wife and children and a few friends have agreed to join me on walking the West Highland Way this year over five days.”
Morag McGown, MND Scotland’s corporate fundraising manager, said: “This will be an experience of a lifetime and it’s really great to see how excited Graeme, Kelly and Phil are about the trek.
“It’s a fantastic way, not just to raise funds for MND, but also awareness with staff and customers across the country. ScotRail Alliance has already raised £180,000 for MND Scotland, through staff fundraising, station collections, match-funding and gifts-in-kind, so the team’s fundraising efforts for China will help boost that even further. The funds raised from this incredible partnership will help us continue providing vital support to everyone in Scotland who is affected by MND, as well fund research which is taking us closer to a cure.”