Craig conquers challenges in memory of Kerryann

A Fife man, Craig Allan (48), from Kinglassie, shares his wife’s story with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) as he prepares to take on the first ever London Landmarks Half Marathon to help raise awareness and funds for MND Scotland.

Craig, who works as a Service Technician at oil and gas company Oceaneering, is father to Ashley (30) and Michael (26) and is grandfather to Jacob (3) and Jessica (1½).

Their lives were turned upside down in June 2014 when wife and mother Kerryann was diagnosed with MND at age 46.

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 unaided. 

After coming to terms with Keryann’s devastating diagnosis, Craig quickly decided to throw himself into a raft of challenges to help raise the profile of MND and to help fund research into a cure.

With close family friend Steven Murray by his side, Craig has conquered 5 half marathons, a zip slide, Tough Mudder and a charity football match, raising over £4,500 to support the charity.

Craig Allan (right) with family friend Steven Murray

In June Craig planned to take on the MND Scotland skydive at Errol Airfield in Perthshire, but decided to withdraw when Kerryann tragically passed away, just three years after being diagnosed with MND.

Craig said: “Kerryann had an aggressive form of MND which took her speech away from her quickly. She was very brave throughout her illness.

“I left work in August 2016 to care for Kerryann at home. This was an extremely difficult time for all the family. Kerryann’s care team, which included Dr. Sloan, Louise and Gemma, were all a great help to us along with the MND nurses.

“I pulled out of doing the skydive because Kerryann wanted to be there to see me jump, I was just too upset and emotional to do this after she passed. Thankfully, my son’s partner Kirsten did the jump for me.”

Craig has now set his sights on competing in the first ever London Landmarks Half Marathon on Sunday 25th March 2018, which will see him join 10,000 runners in tackling over 13 miles of London city-centre roads.

“I’ll be doing the London Landmarks Half Marathon with our family friend Steven – although I’m sure he’ll be miles in front of me!

“My main aim is to help MND Scotland raise awareness of this illness and to raise funds so that research can carry on in this country, so that we can hopefully find a cure one day.”

The brand new event will take-in some of London’s best-known landmarks, including Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Nelson’s Column, the Gherkin, the Shard, the Tower of London and the London Eye.

Iain McWhirter, MND Scotland’s Head of Fundraising and Volunteering, said: “On behalf of MND Scotland I would like to thank Craig and Steven for taking this challenge on to help support the vital work of MND Scotland.

“It hasn’t been long since Craig and his family experienced a devastating loss, so I would like to thank him for his continued strength in doing everything possible to fundraise for a cure, whilst also raising funds to support others affected by Motor Neurone Disease in Scotland.

“I wish Craig and Steven all the best for the half marathon in March. Team MND Scotland will be cheering them on.”

If you would like to support Craig’s fundraising efforts you can donate directly to MND Scotland by sponsoring him on JustGiving. 

Photo: (left to right) Steven Murray, Kerryann and Ashley