Former Scotland cap Reid launches Army challenge

FORMER Scotland internationalist Stuart Reid has launched himself on a series of Army challenges in his latest effort to raise funds for charity.

The 43-year-old, who played for Boroughmuir and was a member of Scotland’s last Five Nations winning team in 1999, created the Glengoyne Auld Enemy Dinner in 2012 for ex-players and supporters on the eve of the Calcutta Cup to raise money for military charities.

He has now taken that further by accepting a challenge to tackle two Army endurance races, the first over ten miles with a 35lb rucksack last Sunday to be followed in November by a 16-mile run with a 55lb rucksack and weapon. He is also undertaking a military parachute jump from a helicopter.

“Basically, I love a challenge and some mates in the Army proposed this, I think, to see what I’m really made of,” he said. “The runs are part of the Army’s physical testing, and while I was pretty sore on Sunday night I was six minutes inside the time that recruits have to beat so I can’t be too bad!

“The reason really was to continue the links we’ve created with the Forces through the Glengoyne dinner.”

Reid’s events are raising money for the Erskine charity, which terms itself “the leading care organisation for ex-servicemen and women in Scotland”.

The next Glengoyne Auld Enemy Dinner is at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh on 7 February, and will feature players from the 1984 Grand Slam winning side and their opponents from the 100th Calcutta Cup.

More information at: www.theauldenemy.co.uk; and to support Reid’s fundraising efforts go to: www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/auldenemydinner