A MUSSELBURGH man with multiple sclerosis (MS) is taking on a wheelchair challenge in support of the Tranent-based Walk with Scott Foundation.

Iain Donaldson-Elder, 59, a former Musselburgh Grammar School pupil, is set to participate in this year’s Walk with Scott on September 18, describing it as “an amazing charity”.

Walkers will cover 26 miles across East Lothian and Iain is planning to join them for a couple of hours.

Iain, who was born at the Honest Toun’s former maternity hospital in Lewisvale Park, now lives in Dunfermline.

His wife Janet, known as Jaz, from Prestonpans, attended Preston Lodge High School with the late Scott Glynn MBE, of Port Seton, who founded the Walk With Scott Foundation, which raises funds for local charities and community projects.

Iain, a former recruitment consultant, who was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis in 2009, enjoys respite breaks at Leuchie House, which he has described as his “spiritual home.”

He explained: “We were due to take part in the Walk with Scott last year but, like a lot of other things in life these days, Covid scuppered that.”

But throughout last August, Iain took part in a wheelchair roll around his local park for his ‘Rolling Around The Rex’ challenge to raise funds for Leuchie and the Walk with Scott Foundation.

Supported by Jaz and his carer, they rolled and walked 40,552 steps, or 19.2 miles, in the first six days around hilly Rex Park in Dunfermline, increasing this daily and with the journey recorded on a pedometer.

He said: “Scott was a great pal to my wife Jaz at school and his amazing charity has done so much for the local community in East Lothian.

“This year, when Leuchie had to cancel so many fundraising events, WWS stepped up to the plate and sponsored a hare for The Big Hare Trail, so we wanted to say thank you to them on behalf of Leuchie House.

“Scott was also a good friend to me, and his foundation has helped so many people worse off than themselves over the years.

“I am only doing a small part of the walk as I am actually on respite at Leuchie and logistics for me and the team getting there for a 7am start were impossible.

“Jaz won’t be with me this year but I am going to organise the section I do with Gareth Glynn and Blair Stewart. The event itself is on September 18 and I cannae wait.

“Part of the reason for only doing the WWS this year is that my 60th birthday is next year and I am planning to do something special for that.”

His other challenges have included a skydive in aid of the Anthony Nolan Trust, which helps people with blood cancer and blood disorders.

Jaz underwent a head shave for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, and the couple have held various events, such as car boot sales, to help animal causes.

Iain undertook a microlight flight in 2018 in aid of Leuchie and, in 2019, the couple raised more than £3,400 for the Walk With Scott Foundation and Leuchie with a wheelchair roll and walk of 91.4 miles around Rex Park.

To support Iain’s Walk with Scott challenge go to bit.ly/2VXN6sS

Further information on the event is available at walkwithscottfoundation.co.uk/walk-with-scott-8