A CLYDEBANK firefighter has signed up for a gruelling charity challenge in the fight against the disease that took his father's life at the age of just 54.

Crew Commander Willie Wilson is joining a 13-strong team from East and West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute who have entered Doddie Aid – an event which raises money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, set up by the late rugby legend Doddie Weir to raise money for research into motor neurone disease.

Willie and his fellow cyclists plan to pedal 555 miles from Cardiff to Edinburgh in just 48 hours this week, ahead of the Six Nations rugby international between Scotland and Wales at Murrayfield.

Willie’s father, also called William, died in 2008 after being diagnosed with MND. He was a fit and active man who worked in Glasgow’s shipyards, as well as offshore and he played football.

Clydebank Post: Willie lost his dad to MND and will cycle 555 miles to aid the fight for a cureWillie lost his dad to MND and will cycle 555 miles to aid the fight for a cure (Image: A Glasgow firefighter is set to complete a 555-mile cycle in memory of his late father.)

Willie, who is based at Clydebank Community Fire Station and lives in Glasgow, said: “It’s a horrible illness, to see someone deteriorate from being a healthy person to becoming bedbound, but my dad had a strong spirit and character.

"I have seen a resilience in some people with MND.

"Doddie Weir is a great example. He did amazing work for the cause.

"I was really keen to get involved in this challenge. I know MND is vastly underfunded. I’ll be a bit apprehensive but I’ve been doing a lot of training and building up the miles.”

Since his dad died, Willie has been an avid fund-raiser and supporter of MND charities.

He’s completed firewalks, half marathons, four marathons and a bungee jump.

The team will leave Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Thursday, February 9 and arrive at Murrayfield, Edinburgh for the Scotland v Wales Six Nations match on Saturday, February 11.

The 555-mile cycle will be a continuous ride throughout the 48 hours.

The mission of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation is to raise funds to aid research into the causes of MND and investigate potential cures.

They also make grants to individuals suffering from MND.