The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
MND battle inspires Monifieth 10k field
FundraisinG: Determination of former Fife teacher leads to funds from race going towards research into MND
A former Fife teacher battling motor neurone disease took to the start line of an Angus 10k in the latest challenge of a personal crusade to raise funds for research into the condition.
Donald Grewar joined a field of around 150 athletes to take on the scenic coastal run organised by Monifieth High School yesterday.
The running fanatic completed his fifth marathon just weeks before experiencing the first symptoms of MND in 2013.
His determination has touched the Angus secondary to such an extent that funds from the run, which normally go to support the school, will instead be given to an Edinburgh University centre leading research into the condition.
Donald, from Dairsie, contacted the school to submit his entry for the run, telling them he was keen to take on the 10k in his powered wheelchair.
The former maths teacher, who worked in the US and New Zealand before latterly teaching at Madras College in St Andrews, said he hoped that he would add to, rather than detract from the day.
Monifieth High head teacher MC McInally said: “We normally hold the 10k to raise funds for pupils in the school but, after receiving Donald’s request, decided that all monies will go to the Euan MacDonald Centre which he is raising money for.
“When word got out about what we were doing a couple of our younger children took it upon themselves to make cakes and they raised £63, which was a marvellous effort from them.”
Donald set off ahead of the main event, accompanied by supporters and some senior pupils from the school, completing the challenge around the same time as overall winner Craig Earl.
Monifieth councillor Craig Fotheringham, who started the 10k run, said Donald’s participation was a heartwarming show of determination.
“This is always a popular run and as a former pupil of Monifeith High I’m very supportive of it, but especially this year when it will be raising such vital funds for MND,” he said.
Donald said: “I was a keen sportsman and in April 2013 ran my fifth marathon in France.
“Two months later, symptoms began and I was diagnosed with MND in January 2014.”
The focus of Donald’s fundraising is the Euan MacDonald Centre, based at Edinburgh University, which involves around 30 researchers from across Scotland working to improve the lives of patients living with MND.
Donald set himself a personal target of £750 from his participation in the Monifieth 10k, and can be sponsored on his JustGiving fundraising page.