Physio students kayak the length of Glasgow’s Subway to raise funds for MND charity
Three GCU students swapped their annual sub-crawl social event for a kayak trip raise money for My Name’5 Doddie – a foundation setup by ex-rugby player Doddie Weir to improve the lives of those affected by Motor Neuron Disease.
Physiotherapy students Kate Rutherford and Neave Keenan along with Biomedical Science student Mairi Heron will travel the length of the Glasgow Subway (10.5k) in two kayaks as part of a wider fundraising initiative by the Students’ Association GCU Physio Society.
The Physiotherapy Society traditionally host a sub-crawl in Glasgow every year for new and current students from different levels to get to know each other and socialise during the Freshers’ period.
Since the event couldn’t take place this year, the team decided to keep the subway theme but with a kind-hearted and ambitious twist.
Physio Society Secretary Chris Milligan said; “Originally the challenge was to either walk, run, cycle or swim but our members have taken the challenge and put their own spin on it as exampled by Kate, Neave and Mairi deciding to kayak it.
We also have a member who’s going to do a triathlon of running, cycling and rowing 10.5k respectively.”
Chris explained how this initiative has grown to be bigger and better than the group expected.
He said; “In total we have 16 students and 1 lecturer involved in the event which has seen nearly 200 supporters donate money to our just giving page which has exceeded our expectations and currently sits at £2,880.”
He added; “We knew it was going to be a difficult start to the academic year due to unprecedented times we find ourselves in, therefore the society have been working hard over the summer and at the start of this academic year in trying to keep engaged with our members.
We have been running quiz questions on social media every week and hosted a revision session led by physio students for physio students using Microsoft teams.
We’ve also continued with our academic families which runs nicely alongside the PALs programme.”
The three girls have had to reschedule their original plans for when they would complete the journey due to the unpredictable weather but their spirits remain high to take on the challenge.
Kate said; We’ve decided to rock the boat a bit with this one, and we’ll be travelling along the Forth and Clyde Canal in the direction of Falkirk.
After rearranging our initial date, we can confirm we’ll be doing our kayak on Sunday, November 8th come rain or shine!”
To make a donation see the official My Nam'5 Doddie Foundation website.
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