A former Fife teacher battling Motor Neurone Disease took to the start line of an Angus 10k in the latest challenge of a personal crusade to raise funds for research into the condition.
Donald Grewar joined a field of around 150 athletes to take on the scenic coastal run organised by Monifieth High School on Sunday.
The running fanatic completed his fifth marathon just weeks before experiencing the first symptoms of MND in 2013.
His determination has touched the Angus secondary to such an extent that funds from the run, which normally go to support the school, will instead be given to the Euan Macdonald Centre at Edinburgh University centre leading research into the condition.
Donald, from Dairsie, contacted the school to submit his entry for the run, telling them he was keen to take on the 10k in his powered wheelchair.
The former maths teacher, who worked in the USA and New Zealand before latterly teaching at Madras College in Fife, said he hoped he would add to, rather than detract from the day.
Monifieth High head teacher, MC McInally, said: “We normally hold the 10k to raise funds for pupils in the school, but after receiving Donald’s request decided that all monies will go to the Euan MacDonald Centre which he is raising money for.
“When word got out about what we were doing a couple of our younger children took it upon themselves to make cakes and they raised £63, which was a marvellous effort from them.”
Donald set off ahead of the main event, accompanied by supporters and some senior pupils from the school, completing the challenge around the same time as overall winner Craig Earl.
Monifieth councillor Craig Fotheringham, who started the 10k run, said Donald’s participation was a heartwarming show of determination.
“This is always a popular run and as a former pupil of Monifeith High I’m very supportive of it, but especially this year when it will be raising such vital funds for MND,” he said.
Donald said: “I was a keen sportsman and in April 2013 ran my fifth marathon in France.
“Two months’ later symptoms began and I was diagnosed with MND in January 2014.”
Donald set himself a personal target of £750 from his participation in the Monifieth 10k and can be sponsored through his JustGiving fundraising page.
