Football Unites for charity walk
Phil O’Donnell’s daughter raises vital money
The eldest daughter of Motherwell legend Phil O’Donnell marked the tenth anniversary of her dad’s death by walking a gruelling 96 miles in his memory.
Megan O’Donnell joined with her father’s former Celtic teammates to commemorate his life while raising more than £3000 for charity.
The 21- year- old – along with Simon Donnelly, Jackie McNamara and Darren Jackson – took part in the four-day challenge which will be rounded off with a climb up Ben Nevis.
Megan has also joined forces with ex-Dundee United and Dunfermline player, Jordan Moore, for the challenge.
Jordan was diagnosed with skin cancer at just 19 years old. He wanted to take part in a challenge to raise money for charity, and it just so happened that friends and family of Phil O’Donnell wanted to mark the anniversary of his passing in a similar way.
Both have now joined together and will fundraise under the banner of ‘Football Unites’ in a bid to raise cash for Cardiac Risk in The Young (CRY) and Teenage Cancer Trust.
Megan said that she had always wanted to do something to mark the anniversary of her dad’s death, and knew the walk was going to be difficult.
She said: “It was always going to be a real challenge, but we were all up for it and doing it for my dad and the charities.
“I feel passionately about being able to fundraise for CRY as I know they really need help to have a base in Scotland. Right now they only have a base in England.laand.
“They believeev ve that young athletes from the age ofo f 14 should be getting regularly screened.ee ened. Perhaps this is something that haat could have helped my dad too. E Early detection is the key to saving morem more lives.”
One of Phil’s’s s goodfriends,good friends, former Celtic team-matematem SimonDonnelly,Simon Donnelly, was delightedte ed to help Jordan and Megan ra raise aise cash for the two charities.
He said: “It t wasw really all Jordan’s idea to begin n with, as myself and Jackie McNamaram mara knew himwhenhim when he played with th hDundeeUnited.Dundee United.
“We thoughtghht it would be a great idea to unite e throughthrought the football teams and do something for these two wonderful charities.
“CRY is an important charity for Phil’s family and the screening process is something that should be looked at more in young athletes. I have three young boys myself and that is also something that motivates me. Screenings are important, and if we can stop it happening to someone else through helping these charities then we’ve got to give it a go.”
The group set off last Wednesday and completed the challenge within four days. To see how they got on, check out Football Unites on Facebook and donate at uk. virginmoneygiving. com/ footballunites.
Earlydetectionisthekeytosavingmorelives