Make it to Munich: Tartan Army fans help Scotland daft footballer realise his dream

Ethan Walker might just be the most committed Scotland fan there is.

Just eight months after a life-threatening accident, he is currently preparing to cycle 1,200km to watch his heroes play in Germany.

In September 2023 the promising young footballer, who left local side Huntly FC aged 17 to attend a football scholarship in America, was hit by a car in New York state. 

Ethan sustained life threatening injuries including multiple fractures, two brain haemorrhages and the complete dislocation of his right knee. He fractured his skull, shoulder, hand, pelvis and knee. He was unable to swallow and required months of tube feeding. 

The assault to his knee was huge – all his knee ligaments and cartilage were torn, the equivalent of five ACL injuries. 

After three months of intensive care Ethan travelled back to Scotland where he met top orthopaedic surgeon Professor Gordon Mackay of the Mackay Clinic.

Professor Mackay reconstructed Ethan’s right knee using his revolutionary Internal Brace  technique and has been supporting him with his amazing recovery.  

Impressed with his determination and progress Professor Mackay set Ethan a major challenge – to cycle to Munich for the opening game of Euro 24 Germany v Scotland.

Ethan will cycle with Professor Mackay who will take care of him on the journey.

Ethan Walker is getting ready to cycle 1,200km to Germany.

Joining the pair on the cycle are two other tartan army members – documentary filmmaker, Martyn Robertson who is making a film about Ethan’s story and friend Stephen Collie.

None of the group are long distance cyclists, but they want to help Ethan realise his dream to conquer what some may have thought would be the  impossible for him. 

Leaving from Hampden in Glasgow the group will cycle to Newcastle, catch a ferry to Holland and cycle on to Munich.

The challenge will raise money for The Duncan Hospital Charitable Trust which exists to  support the activity of a hospital in Bihar, Northern India.

Founded by a Scotsman in 1930, it cares for 11 million population  focused on caring for women and children in southern Nepal and Bihar without any health provision. 

Professor Mackay is a Trustee of  the Duncan Hospital Charitable Trust which helps to develop the hospitals infrastructure and  resources.

A proportion of our funds will also go to The British Heart Foundation in memory  of Stephen and Martyn’s good friend Jason Lyons who was the chargehand at The State Bar in Glasgow. 

You can donate to the challenge here.

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