A PIPING MSP is to fulfil a dream tomorrow when he plays at Hampden as the whistle blows on a charity tour of Scotland’s football grounds.
Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan kicked off his “pipeathon” challenge at Morton FC’s Cappielow Park in his constituency on Monday.
Since then he has piped his way around 27 other stadia as he raises support for Clydeside Action on Asbestos, Cash for Kids and the Andy Adams Fund, which aids a fire fighter who suffered life-changing injuries on a call out.
The 42-stop tour of senior sides’ sites will end at Hampden tomorrow and will see McMillan achieve a long-held ambition.
The 45-year-old, who is the official piper at Holyrood, told The National: “Years ago I played for the Inverclyde Pipes and Drums. We played at cup finals and internationals, but I never got the chance to play at Hampden because it was being redeveloped at the time.
“We played at Ibrox and Celtic Park, but this has been a long time coming – it ticks that off my personal bucket list.”
The pipeathon aims to raise awareness and funds for three different charities and will be followed by an auction of the many club jerseys McMillan has worn throughout its five-day course.
The tops have been signed by players at each of the clubs and it is hoped that the sale will boost the sum raised beyond the politician’s £3000 target.
Last night more than £1800 had been pledged by supporters on the JustGiving page set up by McMillan, who has been supported by a range of companies including Arnold Clark, which provided the wheels, and telecoms firm EE, which extended his data coverage to allow him to share his progress on social media.
Each stop on the tour has taken a minimum of 30 minutes, including a ten-minute march around the pitch, during which the musician has performed a range of tunes.
St Mirren Park in Paisley, home to Morton rivals St Mirren, was amongst the first visited. McMillan, who donned a Buddies strip for the event, joked: “I did keep my Morton scarf on for part of it.”
He added: “This pipeathon has been a long time in the planning and I would like to thank all the clubs who have agreed to allow me the use of their stadium and for their generous donations for fundraising.”
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Pipeathon2017
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