A 10-year-old schoolboy from Dundee is walking around every professional football ground in Scotland in memory of his late mother. Jacob McDonald will visit all 42 SPFL stadiums, walking around the pitches, to raise money for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust.
Jacob's mother, Vivienne, died of the condition when he was just 18 months old. She was diagnosed at 28 and passed away a few weeks before her 33rd birthday.
A challenge inspired by loss
Jacob has named the challenge Jacob's Ground Journeys. He and his father, Kenny McDonald, will travel more than 6,000 miles from Ross County to Stranraer. So far, they have completed 18 grounds, including Celtic, Rangers, St Mirren and Dundee's stadiums.
Jacob said: "It's been so much fun so far. Some of the pitches are massive and my legs get really tired, but I just think about my mum and keep going. My favourite ground so far was East Kilbride because everyone was so supportive. Dad jokes I walk faster than him now."
Kenny added: "That first day at Arbroath, in the middle of Storm Dave, I have never seen a wee lad sprint round a ground so quick. The wind was howling and the rain was battering down, but nothing was going to stop him. That is Jacob all over. He's an incredible boy – a real inspiration. He really wanted to do this challenge for his mum, and we're both so determined to complete all 42."
Fundraising and support
Jacob became an ambassador for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust at the age of seven. The condition is incurable and progressive, with a general prognosis of between three and five years. He began fundraising at five and has raised more than £30,000 for the charity in the five years since. His ground journey challenge has so far raised around £6,500.
Kenny said: "Jacob takes it game by game. Every ground is different and he has loved seeing all the different places. He loves the attention too. But what really keeps him going is knowing he is helping other people. There have been some really special moments. He has met players like Dundee's Simon Murray and former Celtic player Charlie Mulgrew, and the Edinburgh City players applauded him on his final lap, which was a lovely touch. Actor Brian Cox's team even got in touch and sent us signed photos to raffle, and clubs and businesses across the country have been incredibly generous."
Jacob has sensory issues, finding bright light and noise difficult to be around. To mitigate this, he wears ear defenders, with his dad by his side every step of the way.
Community backing
Scottish football charity the SPFL Trust has helped promote his endeavour. Nicky Reid, chief executive of the SPFL Trust, said: "Jacob and Kenny are an inspiration. To turn such a painful loss into something that helps other families takes real courage, and it is wonderful to see the football community across Scotland get behind them. Clubs, associated community trusts, players and supporters pulling together for a cause like this is our game at its very best. We will be following Jacob's Ground Journeys every step of the way and cheering him on."
Peter Bryce, chairman of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust, added: "What Kenny and Jacob are doing is incredibly powerful. They are turning their own devastating loss into a campaign for other families, and by visiting clubs across Scotland they are carrying the message about this little-known disease into communities everywhere. Football brings people together, and they are using that to help more people understand pulmonary fibrosis and the families living with it. Every conversation they start and every pound they raise moves us closer to a future where people with pulmonary fibrosis get the awareness, support, research and care they deserve. We are hugely grateful to them both."
