Local Hero with motor neuron disease takes on AJ Bell Great Scottish Run with support from family

In a remarkable display of strength and solidarity, Mert Zorlu, a courageous man battling motor neuron disease (MND), will participate in the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run this year in aid of MND Scotland.  

Originally from  Karamürsel, Turkey, Mert, (57), met his wife, Frances, 31 years ago whilst she was on a family holiday, and soon after they both moved to Largs, Scotland, to set up a home together and start a family.  

Mert worked as a sales executive for a popular car company in Glasgow for over 22 years before retiring in 2023 and continues to meet up with his former colleagues regularly.   

Mert has always kept fit and active and enjoys all different types of sports – his favourite football team is Fenerbahce. Despite being 5”7, Mert loves playing basketball. His brother, Hakan now runs a basketball academy – both have fond memories of playing the sport together growing up in Turkey.  

Mert is a keen marathon runner and has competed in the prestigious London Marathon numerous times over the years – the most recent being in 2022. It was this year that Mert suffered a cardiac arrest and has been in heart failure since.  Following additional tests, he was then diagnosed with MND on 5 July 2022, much to his and the family’s surprise. 

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe.  

Despite being diagnosed with such a horrendous disease, Mert has faced it with extraordinary resilience as he has not allowed it to hold him back.  

Mert is determined to make a difference by taking part in the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run on 06 October 2024, where he will be joined by family members, Emel, Kenneth, Kadriye, Maia and his wife, Frances.  

His wife, Frances, said:

“Mert’s attitude is amazing. He says ‘at least I know what is wrong with me now, and I’ll just learn to cope’. He’s very sociable and loves to meet with friends, going on holiday and visiting the family in Turkey. He has always been very fit and healthy which is why it was a shock to us all when he was diagnosed with MND.

We are very much family-orientated and we all adore Mert. We received a lot of support from MND nurse Helen Lennox, Dr Anderson and MND Scotland who helped sort out the benefits and grants we were able to access – which is why we are all supporting Mert and taking part in the Great Scottish Run”.  

The event represents community spirit, dedication and commitment as each step taken is not only a physical challenge but a profound gesture of support for a cause close to their hearts. 

Together, the family aim to raise important awareness of MND and raise vital funds for MND Scotland. This will help the charity continue to fund pioneering research to find a cure and to support people with MND in Scotland, so they can spend the time they have left making precious memories with the ones they love. 

Jonathan Mitchell, Head of Fundraising for MND Scotland, said:

“We are so grateful to Mert for taking on this challenge to shine a light on MND and to raise the vital funds to support people affected by this brutal condition. I am always in awe of the dedication of our supporters, but even more so in this case. Mert is such an inspiration to those affected by MND and the whole team wishes him the best of luck on the day. There’s an enthusiastic group of runners taking part on the day, including me, and there are still spaces available if anyone would like to join us and support.” 

MND Scotland would like to say thank you to Mert and his family for their support and wish them all the best in the challenge. 

If you would like to support Mert, please visit:  

https://ajbellgreatscottishrun2024.enthuse.com/pf/mert-zorlu 

For more information about MND Scotland and how we can support you or your family, please visit: www.mndscotland.org.uk, email: info@mndscotland.org.uk or call: 0141 332 3903.