Celtic-daft family tackle fundraiser

Steven Pert’s passion for Celtic Football Club has taken him across the globe. With wife Yvonne he has revelled in the club’s Euro glory nights on the pitch.

And the couple have shared the love of the Hoops family at club conventions in Las Vegas and New Orleans.

But the popular Montrose man is about to make his most emotional journey yet to Paradise.

This coming week, “Big Steve” will watch his three sons walk the 121-miles from Angus to Glasgow’s East End.

The boys are taking on the challenge to raise money for motor neurone disease research as the family continues to come to terms with the 58-yearold’s diagnosis with the condition.

John, 41, Paul, 37, and 34-year-old Sean set off on Wednesday to cover 25-30 miles a day.

The final eight-mile leg will take them to Celtic Park in time for the side’s home Premiership clash with Hearts on Sunday afternoon.

Signs of the terminal condition emerged last year, but Steve managed to continue in the job he loved as a relief signaller for Network Rail.

But that 38-year career came to an end last August as the condition worsened.

“It’s now day by day for me,” said Steve, a founding member of Montrose Celtic Supporters’ Club 20 years ago.

“I can still do stuff if I’m feeling reasonable. “But I get very fatigued. “I’ve had a feeding tube fitted for when things get more difficult, but for now it is just trying to do what I can at home.

“It’s not knowing what happens next which is the big thing.

“I know myself it’s going to be really tough, but you just don’t know when that will be.”

He hailed the support the family has received from charity MND Scotland.

And the whole family has been overwhelmed by the phenomenal response to the fundraiser.

A JustGiving page set up is close to hitting its £4,500 target.

“It’s absolutely crazy to be honest,” said Steve.

“We’re all taking great inspiration from what’s come in and the messages of support from people.

“Celtic is a huge family and we’ve seen that when we’ve travelled all over Europe and to America.”

Steve’s love affair with the Parkhead club was fuelled by seeing them play Real Madrid when he was a schoolboy.

“So it’s been amazing to see what’s come in already, and there are a couple of other fundraising things going on,” he added.

“Myself and Yvonne will be following in the car and they have the legs worked out which will take them to Monifieth, Glenrothes, Falkirk and then Stepps.

“The last one will be a short one from Stepps to Celtic Park.”

John said: “We hope to raise lots of money for MND Scotland who have been a huge support to our parents and our family as a whole as we come to terms with our dad’s diagnosis.

“We are so grateful for the donations so far.

“Dad has held a season ticket for many years, travelling from Montrose to Glasgow for every home game, almost without exception.

“This was a journey we took as a family hundreds of times growing up so we feel that this challenge is the natural choice to honour our dad.”

Picture by Gareth Jennings. PASSION: Steven Pert and wife Yvonne have followed their beloved Celtic around the world.