“The Proclaimers walked 500 miles – we walked 500 more!”

Alloa Team Leader for Skills Development Scotland (SDS), Sharon Lapsley, talks about fundraising and getting active for MND Scotland for much-loved friend and colleague, David Irvine. 

In our team we mark milestones, and this time it was the turn of our dear colleague David Irvine who turned 60 this year. David loves the outdoors, so we wanted to do something for him that reflected the determination and strength he shows daily in fighting motor neuron disease (MND). 

 As a team we walked, cycled and ran 1000 miles in June, and this challenge was perfect as David has a passion for the outdoors and has enjoyed many hours in the Scottish hills.  

 In our adventures we cycled from Falkirk to Bishopbriggs and back, dusting off the bikes that hadn’t been used in years. We walked around the Gartmorn Dam one evening after work and even clocked up miles in France. 

Most of our miles were done solo, getting in a walk, run or cycle before or after work, but we made an effort to get out at lunchtime together as a team. The challenge encouraged us all to be more active with some members of the team feeling fitter and healthier than before. It gave us all an appreciation for being able to get outdoors, move around and enjoy the wonderful scenery on our doorstep. 

We feel fortunate to have shared such special moments and experiences with and for David after learning of his diagnosis. MND Scotland provides much-needed practical, financial and emotional support within the MND community and we’re delighted that we were able to raise funds to support this amazing organisation. We felt inspired to try and raise awareness and vitally needed funds for MND Scotland who have supported David since he was diagnosed. So far, I’m proud to say we’ve raised £1125. 

 It took grit and determination, but we did it! 

 Some words from David: 

 I’ve been fairly private about my MND diagnosis. 

 After being provisionally diagnosed in September 2017, it was only around three years ago that I shared the news with my team in Alloa. I didn’t want people to treat me differently and wanted to keep life as normal as I could, for as long as I could. But now, the illness is starting to bite a lot harder – I can’t hide it. 

 I have a strong Christian faith, which gets me through. 

 As my illness is progressing and I’ve shared the news with my team, I’ve decided to try and raise awareness of MND and funds for MND Scotland. 

 The Alloa team are a bunch of amazing people, and it means so much to me that they would do this after being away from the team for a year. If SDS wants to look for a team that demonstrates its core values, then look no further than the Alloa team. 

MND Scotland would like to say thank you to David, Sharon and the Alloa team at Skills Development Scotland for their support and taking on such an ambitious challenge to help raise important awareness and vital funds to help make time count for families affected by MND.  

 If you would like to donate, please visit the teams Just Giving page: 

 https://www.justgiving.com/page/for-david