Charity walk honours Celtic Jimmy Johnstone 20 years after death

The seven-mile event, Jinky’s Journey, will take place on Monday, May 4, beginning at the Jimmy Johnstone Memorial Garden in Viewpark, North Lanarkshire, and ending at Celtic Park in Glasgow.

Organised by MND Scotland and Celtic FC Foundation, the walk marks the 20th anniversary of the footballer’s death from motor neurone disease (MND) in 2006, at the age of 61.

Dr Jane Haley MBE, interim chief executive of MND Scotland, said: “This is a significant year for MND Scotland as we mark our 45th anniversary.

“We continue to put people affected by MND at the heart of our mission to support people affected by this brutal condition and find effective treatments and a cure.

“We are proud to be working with Celtic FC Foundation, and we look forward to welcoming supporters, fans and the MND community to the upcoming Jinky’s Journey in May.”

Jimmy Johnstone, affectionately known as “Jinky”, was diagnosed with MND in 2001 and lived with the condition for five years.

Johnstone played for Celtic for 13 years and was one of the Lisbon Lions, the legendary team that won the 1967 European Cup Final.

In 2011, a statue of Johnstone and a memorial garden were created on the site of his former school at Old Edinburgh Road, Viewpark.

The walk will offer supporters, football fans and the wider MND community the opportunity to honour his memory while raising funds and awareness for the fight against the disease.

Motor neurone disease is a rapidly progressing neurological condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and wasting.

The average life expectancy following diagnosis is just 18 months, and there is currently no cure or effective treatment.

MND Scotland is the only charity dedicated to supporting people affected by MND in Scotland.

The funds raised from the event will be shared equally between MND Scotland and Celtic FC Foundation, supporting people living with the disease and contributing to vital MND research, as well as the foundation’s Lions Lunch Breaks projects, which benefit those living with dementia and their carers.

The partnership builds on ongoing collaboration between the foundation, the football club and the charity, including a recent research event at Celtic Park.

At that event, former Celtic player and interim assistant manager Shaun Maloney met with the MND Scotland research team and families affected by the disease.

Maloney also reflected on meeting Jimmy Johnstone and spoke about the courage shown by people living with MND today.

The entry fee is £20 for participants aged 16 and over, and £15 for those aged 10 to 15.

All participants will receive an official Jinky’s Journey T-shirt, as well as snacks and refreshments on the day.

Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of £135 (aged 16 and over) or £35 (aged 10–15) in sponsorship.

In addition to the fundraising pack, participants will be provided with refreshments during the event.

Celtic FC Foundation’s broader mission is to help the most vulnerable and marginalised in society, challenging poverty and promoting inclusion.

Proceeds raised through Jinky’s Journey will be devoted to its Lions Lunch Breaks projects, providing support for those living with dementia and their carers.

Registration for Jinky’s Journey is now open online.