Former pupil runs for charity in tribute to inspirational teacher

Teen takes on races after mentor’s MND diagnosis

A teaching role model battling motor neurone disease has inspired a former Madras College student.

Calum Scoular, 16, is preparing to take on his first two 10K races to help raise awareness and funds for MND Scotland, following his teacher’s diagnosis.

Donald Grewar, 54, affectionately known as ‘Mr G’ at the St Andrews school, was Calum’s guidance teacher. Calum and his peers were left devastated when the popular teacher was diagnosed with MND.

“Mr Grewar helped me by taking interest in my academic life and personal life outside school,”Calum said. “He had an incredible work ethic and he believed in me. I have him to thank for where I am now, as he was my role model of how things should be done.”

Calum did not know about Mr Grewar’s condition until his final day as a pupil.

“I didn’t know what MND was, so the reaction was shock to begin with.”

The teenager moved to Dundonald, and his distance made him feel “utterly helpless that I could do nothing to help him and a sense of loss that I was two hours away from him”.

Mr Grewar has been moved on to an oxygen mask and now uses a wheelchair.

Following his diagnosis, the school rallied around, hosting fundraising events, from a pupil-organised fun run, to a sportathon to support MND Scotland.

Calum has decided to take on his own challenges to help raise awareness and funds for MND Scotland.

He plans to complete the Scottish 10k in September and the Edinburgh EMF 10k next May.

“I’ve decided to fundraise for MND Scotland as I want to do my part in taking us a step closer to finding a cure and to keep MND Scotland’s services going.”

Iain McWhirter, MND Scotland’s head of fundraising and volunteering, said: “I’d like to thank Calum for sharing his story with us and for committing himself to raising awareness and funds for MND Scotland.

“Calum’s story also shows us the strength and courage of people like Donald Grewar, who can continue going on helping other people in the face of such a devastating diagnosis.”

Calum can be sponsored at justgiving. com/fundraising/calum-scoular2.

I have him to thank for where I am now because he was my role model of how things should be done

Calum Scoular, 16, is fundraising for MND Scotland.