Selkirk pharmacy staff set to smash target for MS charity by walking two million steps

Matthew Amos with sister Joanne (right) with Lindsay and Gilmour Pharmacy staff Alison Morrison, Lynsey Hogg, Liz MacDougal, Bill Aitchison and Kristen Pearson. Photo: Bill McBurnie.

The idea was born when one of the staff members, Joanne Amos, found out her brother Matt, a car mechanic in the town, had been diagnosed with the debilitating disease Multiple Sclerosis, or MS.

The team had been looking to do some sort of physical challenge after “eating triple our weight in chocolate” during the Covid-19 lockdown over the last year, and decided on trying to help out the charity.

They set a cautious target of £500, but it’s since grown arms and legs, raising to date £1,800 and counting.

For Matt, who works as a car mechanic for Benchwork Motor Company in Selkirk it’s been quite an emotional year.

The father-of-two said: “I had been having problems with my hands and feet, and had put it down to riding my bike of-road. I sold the bike, but the problems persisted and the doctor referred me to a neurologist.

"I was ready for the worst news, but when I got my diagnosis it’s fair to say I was heartbroken, thinking of my kids.

"But at the end of the day I’m the kind of person who just likes to get on with stuff.

"I don’t like to dwell on things too long.

"I don’t want it to beat me, but it will some day.

"Right now it affects my right leg, my hands and my feet at the moment, but I could have another attack and it will affect my left side. You just don’t know what it’s going to do.

"The job keeps me busy, and life goes on.”

"When Joanne told me the chemist staff was doing this challenge in my name, I was stunned, and I had to join in.

"As a group, we’re doing really well and we’re ahead of schedule to make up the two million steps. I have to do some extra when I get home from work to make it up.

"It’s really heartwarming that the community of Selkirk have come forward and supported the cause.

“So many individuals and businesses have also put forward raffle prizes, and that’s just brilliant. John Collins, the former Celtic and Scotland player, has agreed to make the draw as well, on May 1, which we hope to hold outdoors or put online.”