LIFELONG Celtic fan Martin Donaldson has been watching the Hoops at Celtic Park since he was a boy but, along with a group of family and friends, he will be at the stadium for a very different reason on Saturday, May 5.

The group will be taking on the enormous challenge of climbing each and every step inside Celtic Park, to raise funds for Celtic FC Foundation and the British Heart Foundation.  

Martin was born with a congenital heart disorder and by the age of nine he had undergone numerous major operations. When he was 19-years-old, a serious infection caused a relapse in Martin’s recovery, which led to him undergoing life-saving heart surgery.

He has since been able to live a relatively healthy life but tragedy struck in 2014 when Martin’s brother, George, sadly passed away following a sudden heart attack. 

Martin said: “The passing of George was a real shock, as he’d never been previously diagnosed with any heart issues. That really triggered a desire in me to raise funds and awareness for the British Heart Foundation.

“I’ve done bits and pieces of fundraising for them in the past but I was also really keen to get more involved with Celtic FC Foundation.

“The fact that one of the Foundation’s key areas of focus is health really struck a chord with me, so I wanted to do something in which I could raise funds for both.

“The idea to do this challenge then came about after I’d attended an event and listened to a group speak about having previously done it. From then on, I was really keen and quickly started convincing friends and family to join me.

“There are now 10 of us taking part so we’re really excited to get started.”

The group has been training hard ahead of the challenge and Martin has been spending his evenings scaling the steps outside Hampden in preparation for taking on the 8,000 inside Celtic Park.

With fundraising well underway Martin and the gang hope to raise as much as possible to support the work of Celtic FC Foundation and the British Heart Foundation.

Martin added: “I’d like to say a huge thanks to all of those who have donated so far and helped us to raise funds for two wonderful charities. The support has been incredible and hopefully it will continue as we look forward to the challenge.”

There’s still time to support the group’s incredible efforts and you can make a donation HERE