Dumfries man with motor neurone disease aiming to complete Edinburgh Marathon for charity
A Dumfries man with motor neurone disease is aiming to complete the Edinburgh Marathon for charity. Michael Cole will be pushed round the capital by son Andrew in a special sports wheelchair. In the process, the pair are aiming to raise awareness of the disease as well as vital funds for MND Scotland. Michael said: 'I'm indebted to MND Scotland for many things, but I'm grateful for the entry to this year's Edinburgh Marathon. 'My son Andrew will be pushing me, and I am really looking forward to it. 'Andrew ran it on his own last year when it rained a lot, so we're hoping for better weather!' Michael, who is 73, has always been fit and active, having been a competitive swimmer at school and a member of Dumfries Swimming Club, winning a Scottish Junior silver medal as well as accolades at West District and Scottish School level. He also enjoyed playing squash and took part in a variety of running events, cross-country runs, hill races, 10Ks, full and half marathons, long distance relays, and several multi-day events. He always competed with his fellow members of Dumfries Running Club, enjoying their camaraderie, as well as the competitiveness between them. Michael is proud of his personal best times – 78 minutes for a half marathon and two hours 58 minutes for a full marathon. He returned to competitive swimming in his fifties, winning a Scottish Senior bronze medal, and took up road cycling in his sixties until his symptoms forced him to stop. He also volunteered for the RSPB for nearly 15 years, conducting black grouse surveys throughout the hills of Galloway Forest Park, performing general bird surveys on numerous farms in Dumfries and Galloway and working on the reintroduction of red kites to the region. But in November 2022 Michael, who now lives in Penicuik in Midlothian, was diagnosed with MND – a brutal condition that affects hundreds of people across Scotland, robbing them of their strength and independence. Scotland rugby legend Doddie Weir and English rugby league star Rob Burrow are among those who have lost their lives to MND. Despite his diagnosis, Michael is still keeping fit by going to his local gym. He said: 'My personal trainer, Jude Mothersole, is in his fourth year of a sports science degree at Napier University. 'He's very encouraging and patient with me, making all kinds of allowances for my disabilities. 'In my view, keeping active is the difference between me maintaining my health's status quo and simply giving in to MND and deteriorating at a rate of knots. Having been so active, I found the limitations forced upon me by having MND very frustrating. 'Although MND has caused my stability and voice to deteriorate, I'm free of other symptoms. However, the indirect consequences of having MND have had a greater impact on my life and on the lives of members of my family, especially for my wife Anne, who has assumed the role of my sole carer. 'Because of my instability, walking is difficult. I've fallen a few times and damaged both shoulders which has resulted in some loss in the range of movement I have in my arms. 'It is these indirect consequences which have made life more difficult rather than the direct symptoms of the disease itself. Michael and Anne previously ran the family soft furnishing business in Dumfries following the death of Michael's dad. They worked alongside each other for nearly half a century, transforming the company into an upmarket interior design business, working with some of the best manufacturers across the world and opening a second showroom in Carlisle. Living with MND may present many challenges for some, but Michael remains determined to showcase strength and resilience through his upbeat and positive attitude by tackling the disease head-on. Michael said: 'At the centre of my life is of course my family. My father died of a heart attack when he was only 58, so I resolved to avoid a similar fate by always being active.' This will be Michael's seventh marathon and son Andrew's third. Andrew has also completed several ultra marathons, including the West Highland Way twice. Last year, they took on the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow for MND, with Dumfries Running Club members cheering them on. Now the aim is the Edinburgh Marathon Festival at the end of May. Head of fundraising for MND Scotland, Jonathan Mitchell, said: 'We are so grateful to Michael and his family for their continued support to MND Scotland and joining us in our fight against MND by taking on the Edinburgh Marathon. Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway. 'The funds raised from this event will help fund vital MND research into treatments and a cure, and directly contribute to MND Scotland providing critical practical, financial and emotional support to people affected by the condition. 'From all the team at MND Scotland, we want to say good luck to Michael and Andrew.' To support Michael and Andrew in their challenge, visit their JustGiving page here . For more information about MND Scotland, including the support they offer or to find out how to take part in a fundraising challenge, visit their website , email info@mndscotland.org.uk, or call 0141 332 3903.
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