Blues fan Aidan Courts has walked from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise cash for MND and Birmingham City Foundation.
The 32-year-old engineer completed the meandering 1,200-mile route in memory of Fred, his Bluenose grandfather who died of MND last year.
Fred, a season ticket holder at Blues, and Aidan both took part in a fundraising walk together when Aidan was 11.
Aidan, a member of the Blues’ official supporters’ club (OSC) in Redditch, said: “It seemed fitting to walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats in memory of Fred as he joined me on my first walking fund-raiser 20 years ago.”
After spending five months planning the walk, Aidan set off in May taking in Birmingham en route, finally completing the 1,211-mile walk in 61 days on July 25, which would have been Fred’s 94th birthday.
“I managed to get three days ahead of my schedule. That meant I could finish on his birthday, which was great,” said Aidan.
“Although it did mean my friends, who were planning to surprise me at the finish, had to tell me to hang on in John O’Groats!
“Towards the end the of the walk in Ross County, I met a fellow Bluenose, Ricky Loughton. He had contacted my mum and suggested, as I was passing, that I drop in – and I spent a great few hours with probably the most northerly of Blues supporters.”
Aidan’s monster walk raised £8,700 for MND and the Foundation.
He added: “I really enjoyed the walk once I reached Birmingham, I then followed the Pennine Way up to Scotland. It was great to be off the road and walking through the countryside.
“I have no plans for any other walks just yet – and certainly nothing like 1,200 miles again!”
Aidan’s fund raising pager is still open.
