FORMER Scotland prop Gordon Reid is taking on a mammoth charity challenge in memory of his father, Gordon, who died last year from a heart attack.
Reid is aiming to walk 500 miles over the next month, with money raised going to Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland.
He also plans to help other organisations with an auction and fundraisers in the pipeline.
The 34-year-old said: “My dad was always about helping other people, so it has inspired me to do the same and help different charities.
“I'll never see him again, I'll never get to go for a pint with him again, and he'll never get to see his granddaughter, who was born just after he died.
“It has just been one thing after another, and it has been hard mentally, and with rugby too.
Check them out @CHSScotland pic.twitter.com/Jnjq8fT4NY
— Gordon Reid (@GGreid87) April 11, 2021
“I've not had a chance to do what I love doing and I feel like it's been taken away from me, but there are people who are worse off than myself. A lot of people are going through a really tough time.”
The former Glasgow Warriors prop is aiming to raise £5,000 for this challenge and has a an overall target of £30,000 including future events.
Reid, whose spell with Northampton was cut short at the start of the pandemic, is without a club but says losing his dad has made him determined to return to the game.
“I would love to go back and do a year, potentially two. I know I can do it, it's just a matter of picking the right team. I'd love to go to America,” he said.
“Dad was always proud of me representing Glasgow, and Scotland, so it has definitely ignited a fire in me to get back to playing.”
By GAVIN HARPER
