Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
EARNING HIS STRIPES
New trainer from Adidas commemorates fundraiser Mark
Sportswear giants Adidas are set to release a new trainer to honour Airdrie fundraiser Mark Allison.
As part of a new collection the “Mallison” special edition has been included in brand expert Gary Aspden’s latest trainer collection. Mark’s pals Bobby Gallagher and Archie Harkness approached the German sportswear firm and Aspden was so inspired by Mark’s incredible fundraising efforts that he named part of the new collection after him. The shoe, a modern take on the AS700 trainer, is the second set of Adidas footwear to honour Mark, after a pair of green and white Stan Smith trainers were marked “Endorsed by Mark Allison” – an honour usually reserved for music industry icons such as Noel Gallagher or Ian Brown of the Stone Roses.
However, thanks to the hard work of Archie, Bobby and Gary, the Mallison shoe is now available from all high street retailers.
Airdrieonians superfan Mark tragically lost his two-year battle with pancreatic cancer last summer, at the age of just 49.
It was a battle he fought with dignity and a determination to help others in a similar position with his inspirational and hugely successful F** k Cancer campaign, which raised more than £ 70,000 for a number of charities, including St Andrew’s Hospice.
Bobby and Archie became firm friends with Mark through their shared love of trainers.
Airdrieonians fan Bobby also knew Mark because of his work for the club, while Archie first met his fellow music lover at a gig in England, and the pair were friends for many years.
Mark was absolutely over the moon when Gary called him to outline his plans for the Mallison before he passed away
Archie Harkness
Both Archie and Bobby were delighted with the Mallison design, and Archie told the Advertiser: “We would like to thank Gary Aspden at Adidas for making this happen.
“Having a trainer named after you is a long process due to a variety of things, such as legal issues.
“But Mark was absolutely over the moon when Gary called him to outline his plans for the trainer before he passed away.
“He touched many people’s lives in the relatively short time he was here – so it was great to see the delight on his face when he was told about the Adidas Mallison.”