One fan, one goal: to raise £1,000,000 for SAMH
The Tartan Trek will see me walk over 3,200 miles across the United States, starting in Los Angeles and finishing in Boston in time for Scotland’s opening match at the World Cup. I will attempt to complete over 120 marathons in just over 100 days - pushing my body and mind to their limits - all to raise as much money as possible for mental health support in Scotland.
For this challenge, I am proud to be supporting Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), Scotland’s leading mental health charity. SAMH are changing the way we approach mental health through awareness, education and life-saving support delivered in communities across the country. For me, it’s vital that every pound raised makes a real and lasting difference - and I believe SAMH are the right organisation to make that happen.
If my journey inspires you, all I ask is that you follow along, share the story, and support the challenge if you can. Every donation brings us closer to the goal - and helps fund vital mental health support for people across Scotland.
Together, I truly believe we can make a difference.
My story with mental health started long before I had the words to explain it.
From a young age, I saw how deeply mental health struggles can affect those closest to you. Within my own family, I watched loved ones carry challenges quietly and bravely. My mum has spoken openly about her experiences, which helped me understand the gravity of mental health early on. I’ve also seen struggles all around me, and heartbreakingly, I’ve lost people along the way.
I’ve always been an emotional person, though for a long time I thought that was something to hide. As a young man, I believed feeling deeply or crying made me weak. It took years to unlearn that and to realise that being emotional isn’t a flaw - it’s human.
The moment that changed everything came in my early teens, when my best friend Struan’s dad, Russell, tragically took his own life. Russell was an incredible man, and his absence left a hole that can never be filled. When Struan and I spoke about walking to the Euros in late 2023, I knew any challenge I took on had to be rooted in mental health - to honour Russell’s memory.
Mental health struggles are part of life, especially for young men, yet so many still feel shame about asking for help. Through the challenges I take on, I want to show people they are not alone - and that even small acts can make a meaningful difference.
Follow My Journey Across the United States
As I walk more than 3,000 miles across the US, from Los Angeles all the way to Boston, join me on this incredible challenge of a lifetime. I’m aiming to reach Boston in time for Scotland’s first game in the World Cup, and I’d love for you to follow along.
You can track my progress live on Strava, where every mile of the route will be logged. I’ll also be sharing regular updates, stories, and snippets from life on the road over on Instagram, giving you a window into the highs, lows, and memorable moments from this my trek.
I’m taking on this journey to raise vital funds for SAMH - something incredibly important and close to my heart. Your support, encouragement, and shares mean the world as I take on each step toward this goal.
SAMH is a beacon of excellence in mental health care, delivering over 70 services across communities throughout Scotland, spanning cities, areas of multiple deprivation, remote and rural locations, villages, towns and islands. Our commitment is simple: to be there for people, wherever and whenever they need us.
Covering 30,090 square miles, our services support more than 28,000 people every year. Rooted in a person-centred approach and guided by the ethos of recovery, our work spans social care support, supported living, addictions, employment services and more — all designed to meet people where they are and help them move forward with dignity and hope.
This commitment is brought to life through The Nook by SAMH - our growing national network of walk-in mental health hubs, offering free, immediate support without appointments, referrals or waiting lists, ensuring people can access help at the moment they need it most.
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