As many of you know, my mum, Eileen Higgins, was diagnosed with MND in September 2021 and lost her battle with this awful disease two years later in September 2023. She was so brave and positive throughout her battle, and was determined to help find a cure for this cruel disease. She took part in clinical trials and donated her spinal cord and brain stem cells to be used in research, knowing that it would be too late for her but to hopefully eventually find a cure for those in the future.

She will be so proud knowing that I am taking part in this wonderful fundraiser.

MND Scotland were fundamental in helping mum throughout her battle, and for that I will be ever grateful and will always try to repay their kindness whenever I can. Combining this with the Celtic Foundation, who are a tremendous charity, I have a wonderful opportunity as a Celtic supporter to honour my mum and the great Jimmy Johnston at the same time.

Celtic FC Foundation are delighted to announce that we are partnering with MND Scotland, to mark the 20th anniversary of the sad passing of Celtic legend, Jimmy Johnstone to motor neuron disease (MND).

In tribute to the shirt number he proudly wore for the Hoops, ‘Jinky’s Journey’ will see supporters follow a 7-mile route from the Jimmy Johnstone Memorial Garden in Viewpark to his statue outside Celtic Park, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4, 2026.

We’ll be walking from Jinky’s hometown to Paradise, as we celebrate the life of the man who supporters voted the Greatest Ever Celt and who bravely faced his own MND journey, before tragically passing away on March 13, 2006.

The net proceeds from this event will be split equally between Celtic FC Foundation and MND Scotland.

Celtic FC Foundation is the charitable arm of the Football Club. At the heart of all of the Foundation’s work is a mission to identify and engage with the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in our community.