Carol Scott from Glenrothes, Fife, will take on the Lairig Ghru 19-mile trek from Linn of Dee to Rothiemurchus on Global Awareness Day, 21 June 2025, in support of her brother, David, who is living with motor neuron disease.

Carol Scott has three siblings, Sandra, David, and Gordon. They grew up together in the family home on the Old Pennywell Road in Edinburgh.

Sandra and Carol loved hillwalking, canoeing, and rock climbing, and their brothers, David and Gordon enjoyed sports like football and golf. Their dad was a keen gardener – only coming back into the house when it got dark outside. Being such an active family encouraged David to become an active sportsman in later life.

The family were close but went on to pursue their own paths: Carol moved to Fife, Sandra moved to Perth, Gordon remained in Edinburgh, and David lived in South Queensferry and Livingston before relocating to Leicester in 2013 where he now lives with his wife, Claire and daughter, Megan.

Carol said: “We were four very different individuals with very different interests. Our mum, Margaret made a comfortable family home for us, one that came to an end after 60 years when mum sadly passed away in January. Our dad, Gordon died 8 years earlier and was a good provider. Dad was proud of us, but never said much, and mum loved her family and wanted us to look out for each other.  She loved it when we got together for family occasions.”

A couple of years ago, Carol noticed a change in her brother David: “In September 2023, David was in Scotland for a wedding and the family noticed he was slurring his words. We thought he’d had a heart attack or even a stroke. We were very concerned.

“Five months later, I was visiting our mum in Edinburgh, and David was on the phone to her at the time. She couldn’t understand him so passed the phone to me. He told me that he had been for tests and the technician told him they had picked up muscle weaknesses but wasn’t able to say what the cause was.

“A few days later, David’s consultant informed him he had motor neuron disease. The phone call he made that Tuesday in February 2024 asking me to ‘tell mum’ will stay with me forever”.

Speaking about David’s diagnosis, Carol said: “When he told us, we were all devastated. The full family was shocked. We would ask ourselves ‘Why did it have to be MND’ – it’s such a brutal disease. You don’t want anyone to be unwell, but even with something like cancer and as horrible as it is, there could still be a chance. MND is a death sentence”.

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a rapidly progressing terminal neurological illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This causes muscle weakness and wasting.

MND can rob someone of the ability to walk, talk, swallow, and breathe. The average life expectancy of someone with MND is just 18 months from diagnosis. There is no cure or meaningful treatments.

Since being diagnosed with MND, David has been fitted with a feeding tube to help with eating. He wears a non-invasive ventilation (NIV) mask for eight hours a day to support his respiratory muscles which helps clear out any toxins in his lungs, and uses an iPad to communicate.

David previously worked as a project manager, a position he secured with the help of his best friend, Justin. In this role, David was responsible for installing machines and scanners in hospitals across the country.

Carol said: “Justin was devastated when he heard the news about David. He has supported David throughout the whole journey. Justin recently helped to convert and install a hoist system in what was David and Claire’s office and downstairs toilet to create a bedroom with an ensuite for David as his mobility diminishes and he is no longer able to cope with stairs.

“It’s difficult for us being so far away from him. I can’t see him every day and he can’t speak, but we can still text. We are so grateful that David has the support of his family, including his son Nathan who travels from Fife every month to be with his dad, his friend Justin, and all his golfing friends”.

Since his diagnosis, David’s family, and friends have united to raise significant funds for MND research and support, including charity golf days, climbing challenges, and football matches.

David always wanted to climb Ben Nevis. After being diagnosed with MND, he decided to go for it. He and Justin organised and planned the challenge down to the finest details and ensured everyone had the right equipment. In May 2024, Nathan, and a group of fellow golfers joined him on this adventure despite facing snowy conditions along the way.

In December 2024, as part of Kevin Sinfield’s ‘Running Home for Christmas’ challenge, Carol and her family travelled to Leicester to support David in what would be his last physical challenge: “This was a moment that as a family we’ll never forget.  My mum had struggled with David’s MND diagnosis knowing he’d likely pass before her. This was something she was not able to come to terms with. Taking her down to be with David in Leicester brought her some peace seeing him with his friends, and the support they, and the MND community provided. Sadly, mum passed away very suddenly on 19th January 2025.”

On Thursday 12th June, a team of 55 friends of David’s took on the 320 miles ‘Cycle from Barmouth to Yarmouth challenge, to raise vital funds for MND research and support. Next month, ‘MND Fest’ will take place in Leicester featuring live performances and entertainment to help raise vital funds. David has been instrumental in the organisation and promotion of both events.

Carol said: “David is typically a very private person. However, since his diagnosis, he has undergone a remarkable transformation. He continues to help raise awareness about motor neuron disease by participating in podcasts, engaging on social media, and creating and updating his own website. Recently, he organised for a professional photographer to capture images of his body to highlight the effects that MND can have over 12 months.”

Carol decided that she wanted to organise her own challenge in support of her beloved brother, and to help other families affected by MND by raising funds for MND Scotland.

On 21 June 2025, Carol, along with friends and family, will take on Lairig Ghru: “It’s always been something I’ve wanted to do. I don’t believe in bucket lists. I think if you want to do something and you are able, you should just go for it”.

Lairig Ghru takes in an altitude of 835 metres and crosses through the central Cairngorms – one of the wildest areas in the country.

Carol said: “I’ve been overwhelmed with the level of support and the number of people who want to join me. I have friends and family who will be walking with me and raising funds for MND Scotland and LOROS hospice, Leicester. We also have a team of supporters, who are unable to walk, but wanted to be there to welcome us over the finish line.”

A total of £1,500 has been raised ahead of the challenge. If you would like to support Carol by donating, please visit her Give as You Live page: https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/walking- the-lairig-ghru-in-aid-of-mnd

MND Scotland would like to wish Carol and her friends and family the best of luck in the upcoming challenge and thank David for bravely sharing his story.

To find out more about David and follow his journey, please visit his website: https://mymnd.co.uk/

For more information about MND Scotland, how we can support you or your family, or if you’re interested in taking on a fundraising challenge, please visit: www.mndscotland.org.uk, email: info@mndscotland.org.uk, or call: 0141 332 3903.