Edzell GP will take on epic cycling challenge in support of friend living with motor neuron disease

Dr. Marc Jacobs, 60, a GP partner of Edzell Health Centre, is training for the upcoming Ride the North cycle challenge this month at Glamis Castle, Angus.

Marc is taking on the challenge in support of friend, Alan Budge (fondly known as ‘Budgie’), who is living with motor neuron disease (MND) and to help raise funds and awareness for MND Scotland.

Speaking about MND, Marc said: “My experience with motor neuron disease primarily comes from caring for another patient in the village who lived with the condition. I had the opportunity to see this patient regularly over 2-3 years and could see the devastation that MND can cause”.

Originally from Belgium, Marc has lived and worked in Scotland since 1995. His wife is also a partner of Edzell Health Centre, and the couple have three children together.

Marc has decided to take on the challenge after being inspired by the bravery and strength of his friend: “I’ve known Alan for many years. He was a triathlete in the local club. He has been a great inspiration and an example of how sport can lift people up above themselves.

“He was in a serious accident where a tree branch fell on his leg and shattered it into pieces. How he dealt with it was amazing. He embraced his rehabilitation with his usual gusto. Alan is very much into the finer details – monitoring every aspect, muscle strength and speed etc – and amazingly, he eventually got back to cycling”.

Alan, a former triathlete, is actively involved in his local community and is a member of several cycling clubs. Following a series of tests from April 2024, Alan was diagnosed with MND on 20 November of the same year.

Speaking about Alan’s diagnosis, Marc said: “Alan noticed that he wasn’t performing in sports events as well as he normally would, which prompted him to start asking questions. As a result, he began attending the surgery more frequently. My colleague was the one who primarily saw him. Diagnosing his condition was quite challenging, and it took some time.

“Receiving such news can be devastating for anyone, but his attitude toward it has been remarkably positive. He views this experience as an opportunity to create change for others.”

Alan continues to keep active and helps to raise awareness and funds for MND Scotland and has hosted his own events and supports others in the community.

Dr. Jacobs added: “I may be the one on the bike, but this ride is for Alan. He can’t do it himself, so I’ll do it for him”.

Ride the North will take place on 30 August, with participants riding through some of Scotland’s most scenic landscapes. Marc is currently training weekly and recently joined friends from Belgium for a week-long cycling trip to prepare.

MND Scotland would like to thank Marc for his support and wish him all the best in the upcoming Ride the North challenge.

MND is a descent into the unknown. With the help from people like Marc, no one in Scotland will face the unknown alone.

To support Marc in his fundraising efforts, visit his JustGiving page to donate.

To find out more about the Ride the North challenge, please visit: https://www.ride-the-north.co.uk/