Boy, 13, runs 5km every day for a month to raise money for MS Therapy Centre

He has raised almost £3,000.

A 13-year-old boy has raised almost £3,000 by running 5km every day for the month of June.

Michael Reilly set up the challenge to raise money for the MS Therapy Centre Lothian, where his father, Dean Reilly, is a client.

Mr Reilly, from Newcraighall, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) eight years ago.

Michael was given a cake from bakery Three.14.

Since his diagnosis he has raised thousands of pounds for MS charities, and taken part in a number of gruelling challenges including running the London Marathon.

He received an Edinburgh Evening News Local Hero award in 2016 in recognition of his efforts.

Now his son has taken on a fundraising initiative of his own, completing his 150km challenge on Tuesday at the MS Therapy Centre Lothian, in Leith.

The centre offers support to local people with MS including oxygen treatment, physiotherapy, yoga and pilates.

A crowd of supporters cheered him over the finish line.

Like many charities it has suffered a drop in funding as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Michael also shaved his head in early June as part of the fundraiser.

A crowd of supporters cheered Michael across the finish line on Tuesday within piping from Lou Marshall, piper to the Lord Provost.

He was joined for the last leg of his run by Gillian, physiotherapist at the centre.

Local businesses also came out in support of Michael, including bakery Three.14 which offered a cake to congratulate him on the finish, and Bross Bagels which donated some bagels.

“I’m so proud of him,” said Mr Reilly.

“He’s still quite young and you could see that at times it was hard, there were some days I had to help him up the stairs. But he kept going.”

Mr Reilly said he has kept Michael involved with the fundraising he has done over the last eight years, but that this is the biggest challenge he has taken on himself.

“I helped him with the online fundraiser and the social media, but he’s gone out and done the run every day himself,” he said.

“He’s kept at it every day and for a 13 year old that’s very impressive.

“That’s a really substantial amount of money for a centre of that size.”

“It’s an incredible feat for a 13 year old to do that, and to have that commitment,” said Nancy Campbell, manager at the MS Therapy Centre Lothian.

“We know Michael really well, and I’m so proud of him.

“Any fundraising is fantastic, and especially for an independent charity at the moment as the fundraising environment is particularly difficult.

“This is a fantastic boost to our funds and will really help us over the next few months to maintain our services. It will also help with the added costs of PPE in preparation for our reopening of the centre on Monday.”

The fundraiser can be found here.