Central Scotland MSP Christina McKelvie joined around 60 other volunteers in undertaking a Firewalk to raise funds for motor neurone disease charity MND Scotland at Falkirk Stadium on Friday. Speaking after she had completed the walk along a 20 foot path of burning coals, Christina said:

“I feel absolutely exhilarated – I could take on the whole world right now. Everyone should do this!

“My feet don’t have a mark on them. When I go into the Scottish Parliament next week I think I’m going to be spending all my time taking my shoes off to prove I’m not covered in blisters. No one will believe me!

“There has been an amazing atmosphere here tonight. All of the Firewalk volunteers and their friends and family have been cheering each other on. It has been an incredible experience and brilliant way to raise money for motor neurone disease.”

Christina was nine when her father, David Curran, was diagnosed with MND. He eventually lost his battle with the disease 12 years after his diagnosis, and since then she has been determined to do all she can to help other sufferers and their families. She said:

“I had to summon up all my courage to do this Firewalk, but it was nothing compared to the fearlessness that my dad showed in fighting MND, or the courage shown by sufferers and their families in facing up to this condition every day.

“At any one time, there are around 300 to 350 people in Scotland with MND so its not a large population. And because its a very personal disease, it can be very different for every single individual.

“MND Scotland provides specialist nursing care, which is something that was never available when my dad was ill, as well as support groups across the country which have resulted in a huge support network of carers, family and friends. It’s a real community and a very special charity.”