On 5 May I will challenge myself to climb every step inside Celtic Park, the challenge won’t be easy with around 8000 stairs in the stadium, it will be a test of my own endurance, fitness and mental strength, although to be here at all to attempt this is thanks to the developments in coronary care over the last 50+ years.
I was born with major heart complications in 1978, I had a condition called Fallots Tetralogy, a condition where in some cases children would seldom lived in to their teenage years. I have had six major heart operations, including three life changing and one life saving open heart surgeries, thanks to the research at the British Heart Foundation and the dedicated staff of the NHS I have been able to enjoy a family life and have children of my own.
Most of my time now is spent following Celtic with my two children. Perched high in the north stand in section 409, I have been watching Celtic for 35 years with my love of the team going back to a 0-0 draw with Brechin in 1983.
In 1988 as we won the league against Dundee, I remember the fans leaving the stadium creating a circle around me to protect me from any crushing as I had just come out of hospital after open heart surgery.
In 1997, players from the club visited me in hospital as I fought serious infection that would require life saving surgery.
When you walk through a storm hold your head up high………Sadly I have also been affected by the devastating loss of my brother to cardiac arrest when he was only 46 years old, his death changed how I thought about many things, especially how fragile family life can be. However, I used this to focus on helping the BHF in their fight for every heartbeat.
My brother George was a regular of the early Glasgow folk scene in and around Glasgow, you could see him perform regularly from The Tollbooth, Old Burnt Barns, Molly Malones and Jinty McGintys.
Singing Celtic songs and songs of love, hope and freedom.
He joined the Wolfe Tones on stage a the Barrowlands in the mid 90s and sang on the pitch at Celtic Park as part of the celebrations on the opening day of the season when Martin O’Neill was in charge of the club.
His singing career took off around 2007 when he joined Celtic Thunder touring the USA, Canada and Australia singing Irish and Scottish folk songs to fans all over the world, even making a stop at the White House to perform for President Obama as part of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
No matter how far he travelled, or enjoyed playing arena venues in America he always loved coming home to his family, singing in the local bars in Glasgow and getting to Celtic Park when he could.
George had no history of heart problems and his death was sudden, he had achieved a lot in his time coming from Easterhouse to the White House.
Don’t be afraid of the dark, At the end of the storm, there is a golden sky………..I have set up a fundraising page for donations as I complete the challenge. I have chosen The Celtic FC foundation and The British Heart Foundation to help fund future projects for both charities.
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/martindonaldson
The work that the Celtic FC foundation do in Improving Health, Promoting Equality, Encouraging Learning and Tackling poverty all remain true to the very values in which the club was founded.
Without the work and research of the British Heart Foundation I simply wouldn’t be here today, so with them I aim to help the fight for every heartbeat.
This is the reason I have been training towards completing this challenge.
There are 1576 steps to the top of the Empire State Building. There are approximatley 8000 steps in Celtic Park, it gives an idea of the challenge, but I will walk on with hope in my heart.
Martin Donaldson
