Highland League footballers raise over £11,000 for Doddie Weir's My Name'5 Doddie Foundation MND (Motor Neurone Disease) charity in support of Martin Johnston
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A GROUP of past and present Highland League footballers have raised over £11.000 for a motor neurone disease (MND) charity through a 24-hour weekend run.
Former Keith player Keith Robertson organised the Highland League 'legends' event in support of ex-Elgin City, Peterhead and Cove Rangers striker Martin Johnston's battle with MND.
Donate to the cause here.
Johnston is an ambassador for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation started by former Scotland rugby star Doddie Weir after he was diagnosed with the condition in 2017.
Robertson recruited a number of former team-mates and league rivals to run an hour each over last weekend in an effort to raise cash for the foundation.
Among the runners were ex-Maroons captain Mark Perry, who at the age of 49 produced the longest run of the 24 by going for an impressive 14.58 kilometres at 4am on Sunday.
By yesterday the fundraising sum had reached £11,351, more than double the target Robertson had set when he first opened the justgiving page.
"I want to thank everybody that has donated so far. It's been incredible," Robertson said.
"Donations have come in from all over the world really. I got one in from Hong Kong which is pretty nuts."
"I cant thank you all so much for the support and donations over the last 10 days.
"The cheer squad was out in force and it was brilliant to see Martin Johnston and family at the finish line."
Charity 24-hour runs have become the craze during the sporting shutdown, with Keith being one of a number of Highland League sides challenged to clock up the miles over a full day to make money for a chosen cause.
Perry and Robertson weren't the only former Maroons taking part, as Neil 'Toastie' McRitchie who had a successful spell at Kynoch Park did the midnight shift and ran for 6.31 miles.
Former Dundee United star Perry said: "MJ (Martin Johnston) thank you for asking me to take part, it's been a privilege and well done to all the boys for smashing the £10,000 barrier.
McRitchie added: "Well done to everyone who has done the run and gone through the night into the morning, a fantastic effort from everyone.
"Well done Robbo (Robertson) for organising it, it's an unbelievable cause.
"MJ's a top man, a top striker. All the best to you and your family."
Current Deveronvale boss Steve Dolan, who also ran an hour for his own club's 24-hour challenge, managed his second long run of the summer and beat his previous total by clocking up 10.84km on Saturday night.
Several of Johnston's old team-mates from his two spells at Cove Rangers and one at Peterhead donned their trainers for the cause.
Former Buckie Thistle title-winning skipper Michael Morrison and fellow ex-Jags Graeme Grant and James Milne posted good runs for the cause.
Present Highland League players Forres Mechanics' Stuart Soane, Inverurie Locos' Daniel Park and Andy Reid all posted big distances.
The biggest star name who took part was former Scotland international Ian Wilson, whose career began with Elgin in the 1970s before going on to star for Leicester City and Everton.
