A teaching role model battling Motor Neurone Disease has inspired a former pupil.
Former Madras College student Calum Scoular, 16, is preparing to take on his first two 10K races to help raise awareness and funds for MND Scotland, following his teacher’s diagnosis with the condition.
Donald Grewar, 54, affectionately known as Mr G at school, was Calum’s guidance teacher.
Calum and his peers were left devastated when the popular teacher was diagnosed with MND in 2014.
“Mr Grewar helped me at school by taking interest in my academic life and my personal life outside school.
“He had an incredible work ethic and he believed in me.
“I have him to thank for where I am now, as he was my role model of how things should be done.”
Calum didn’t know about Mr Grewar’s condition until his final day as a pupil.
“I didn’t know what MND was, so the reaction was somewhat of an understandable shock to begin with.”
The teenager moved to Dundonald, and his distance made him feel “utterly helpless that I could do nothing to help him and a sense of loss that I was two hours away from him”.
Mr Grewar has been moved onto an oxygen mask and now uses a wheelchair for extra mobility after having difficulty walking.
Following his diagnosis, the school rallied around, hosting a number of fundraising events, from a pupil-organised fun run, to a sportathon to support MND Scotland.
Calum has decided to take on his own challenges to help raise awareness and funds for MND Scotland.
He plans to complete the Scottish 10K in September and the Edinburgh EMF 10K next May.
“I’ve decided to fundraise for MND Scotland as I want to do my part in taking us a step closer to finding a cure and to keep MND Scotland’s essential services going.”
Iain McWhirter, MND Scotland’s head of fundraising and volunteering said: “I’d like to thank Calum for sharing his story with us and for committing himself to raising awareness and funds for MND Scotland.
“Calum’s story also shows us the strength and courage of people like Donald Grewar, who can continue going on helping other people in the face of such a devastating diagnosis.
Calum can be sponsored at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/calum-scoular2.
