Roy Laidlaw’s son will run 12 marathons to raise money for Alzheimer’s, cancer and rugby injury charities

Roy Laidlaw’s son is to run 12 marathons in 12 months to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s, cancer and rugby injury charities.

Roy Laidlaw in his Scotland heyday. He was a key member of the 1984 Grand Slam side. Picture: Russell Cheyne/Allsport/Getty Images

Chris Laidlaw, a Scotland Club XV International stand-off, lost his mother Joy to cancer earlier this year, while a few months ago his father made public that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Roy Laidlaw, 67, is one of Scottish rugby’s all-time greats and was a cornerstone of the 1984 Grand Slam-winning side, forming a formidable half-back partnership with John Rutherford. The former Jed-Forest scrum-half played for the Lions on their 1983 tour of New Zealand.

His son, Chris, has never run a marathon before but will set out on his first one on New Year’s Day.

Boroughmuir Bears captain Chris Laidlaw is to run 12 marathons in 12 months.

The 30-year-old is captain of Boroughmuir Bears and the ‘12 in 12’quest will begin at 10am on January 1 at Meggetland.

“Like most rugby players I’ve probably done some daft things to celebrate new year in the past. But this one matters an awful lot to me,” he said.

“I’ve never run a marathon before. The furthest I’ve done is a half marathon, but I reckon if I can get through the first one and get the miles in during the training then I’ll be fine, I hope!”

Depending on if the coronavirus pandemic eases, Chris hopes to sign up for some major events in the marathon calendar, such as Edinburgh in May, Berlin in September and Loch Ness in October.

He will also plot courses around events that meant a lot to his family, such as Jed-Forest 7s or Jedburgh’s summer Callants festival.

Chris said: “This year has been extremely hard losing my loving mum to cancer during the first lockdown followed by my dad’s diagnosis that he is suffering from Alzheimer’s.

“I have found it very hard to accept both, however I now feel ready to take on this amazing challenge and raise awareness and funds for three charities which are close to our family.”

The charities are the Murrayfield Injured Players’ Foundation; Marie Curie; and Alzheimer Scotland.

“Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation does outstanding work in supporting current and former players throughout Scotland who have suffered varying degrees of injuries,” Chris said.

“I personally have received support through a long-term injury along with my older brother Scott. The Foundation is now helping provide support for Dad and has provided long-term assistance for Eddie Renwick of Jed who suffered a catastrophic injury many years ago.

“Marie Curie, which supports people living with a terminal illness, were outstanding at the end of my mum’s illness and provided amazing support and care to mum and us as a family.

“Alzheimer Scotland, Scotland’s national dementia charity, provide fantastic support to people living with dementia, fund vital research projects and provide support to families who are supporting their loved ones through this tough illness.

“Since reaching out to them about my challenge they have been nothing short of amazing and have pointed me in the direction of some great support networks for me and the family and I look forward to working with them through this challenge and beyond to support dad as best we can.”

You can support his fund-raising at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/12in12in21

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