Caithness brothers’ gruelling Edinburgh charity challenge to honour dad who passed away from Motor Neurone Disease
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Two Thurso exiles are gearing up to carry out a gruelling charity fundraiser in memory of their father.
Alasdair Sinclair died in May after having lived with Motor Neurone Disease for more than 20 years.
His sons Alan and Andrew and three others are to tackle the Edinburgh 7 Summits challenge later this month to raise money for MND Scotland.
Alan (42), from Banchory, and Andrew (40), from Edinburgh, are being accompanied by Andrew’s partner Peter, and the brothers’ long-time friends, Dunnet distillery boss Martin Murray and Derek Chadwick, from Edinburgh.
Alasdair was diagnosed with MND when he was 48 and living with wife Linda, two sons and daughter Karen at their home in the town’s Rose Street.
Recalling his family’s reaction to Alasdair’s diagnosis, Alan said: “From my memory, it was a bolt out of the blue to the whole family.
“None of us thought it could be anything like that.
“You hardly hear of anybody being diagnosed with MND 20 years ago and we were in total shock and disbelief.”
Alasdair gradually deteriorated but continued to run the couple’s shoe repair and locksmith business until their retirement in 2019.
Describing his dad’s character, Alan added: “My dad was a quiet and gentle guy, who was very much a family man and was very community-spirited.”
Because of Alasdair’s fortitude and resilience, he was asked by his MND nurses if he would talk to and support others who were living with the disease in the Highlands.
In 2019, Alasdair had a surprise visit from Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir during his Lands End/John O’Groats charity marathon in a classic Mitsubishi MK1 Shogun.
Weir, who died from the disease last year, set up a trust to fund research into finding a cure for MND.
Alasdair was admitted to hospital in February of this year when he became unwell after suffering a fall and was subsequently diagnosed with advanced terminal cancer.
The news was a huge shock to his family because he had not previously shown any symptoms.
Alasdair was given just months to live. He was not allowed to leave the hospital and passed away on May 6.
Alan said: “Dad never lost his positivity and sense of humour continuing to laugh and joke with his family, friends and nursing team until his last day.
“He requested that any collection at his funeral was in aid of MND Scotland and with the kind generosity of our friends and family, £1563 was donated.”
Climbing Arthur’s Seat features in the 35 kilometre, all-day challenge in and around Edinburgh on August 27. Alan said: “I’m trying my best to get a bit more walking in, but it can be quite time-consuming.
“I was looking at the distance and at 35 kilometres, I’m expecting it to be about seven hours without breaks. It’s really important that we are doing this as a team and I’m doing my best to mentally prepare for a lot of exercise but looking forward to a pint at the end.”
The fivesome will be joined on the trek by MND Scotland vice-chair Liz McRobb.
She said: “I am terribly sorry to hear about the loss of Alasdair and send my deepest condolences to Alan and his family.
“Twenty-one miles and 900 metres of elevation in one day is not a small challenge and on behalf of everyone at MND Scotland, I’d thank Alan, Andrew, Peter, Martin and Derek for their extraordinary effort.”
