Edinburgh schoolboy, 10, raises funds for MS Society Scotland

A Scottish charity is hoping the achievements of a young runner will inspire more children to get involved in fundraising activities.

Alistair Aitken, 10, races to raise funds for MS Society Scotland. Picture: Contributed

Ten-year-old Alastair Aitken took part in this year’s Edinburgh Marathon Festival to raise funds for MS Society Scotland – and says he’s already planning his next fundraising event.

The Roseburn Primary pupil decided to run the junior marathon 2k as a show of support to his aunt who has multiple sclerosis.

And the caring schoolboy from Edinburgh hit the ground running and managed to raise a fantastic £230.  

MS affects more 11,000 people in Scotland which has the one of the highest rates of MS in the world.

Symptoms of the neurological condition typically appear when people are in their 20s or 30s and can cause pain, sight loss, fatigue and disability.

Speaking about his fundraising efforts, Alastair said: “It was fun on the day and I wanted to raise money for the MS Society as my aunty has MS and has had it for a long time.

“I raised £230 and my sponsors were mainly friends and family including my granny, mum, dad, aunt and uncle.

“I felt pretty happy as I was doing something to help someone. It’s good to help other people and next year I will be in primary seven so I am thinking of getting my friends together and taking part in another run. We will be able to raise even more for the MS Society.”

Proud aunt, Catherine Aitken said: “I was very touched when Alastair said he was running for the MS Society. That was the charity he’d chosen above all others and off his own bat.  I felt he was running for me.  Alastair’s a very considerate boy who has only ever known his aunty with either crutches or a wheel chair.  He can’t do anything to change my condition, he knows that - but he can run”.

MS Society Scotland Director Morna Simpkins said: “It is fantastic to see children get involved in fundraising and we hope that stories like Alastair’s will inspire more children to raise funds through a range of different events.

“On behalf of all of us at MS Society Scotland, I would like to say a huge thank you to Alastair for his fantastic achievement.”

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