A KILWINNING man smashed a triathlon last month to raise money in honour of his partner’s late father.

Scott Milliken took on the 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run in aid of MND Scotland, in memory of partner Jenny’s dad Keith Brassett.

Scott, who now lives in Reading and works in Medical Affairs for a pharmaceutical company, put himself to the test recently with a 750m swim, a 20km cycle and a 5km run.

The 27-year-old took on the challenge in memory of Keith who died of Motor Neurone Disease in March 2018.

Scott’s partner, Jenny also lives in Reading but is originally from Glasgow and her father, Keith, lived in Glasgow for over 20 years.

Scott said: “He was a kind and generous man, who made friends wherever he went and who had an optimism that not even MND could disturb.

“He was diagnosed with MND in 2015 after he noticed his leg dragging, assuming it was the symptoms of a stroke or trapped nerve.

"After a long battle with MND, Keith passed away in March this year.”

Inspired by Keith’s strength and courage in the face of a devastating prognosis, Scott took on the challenge to raise awareness of, and funds for, MND Scotland.

He said: “I have some friends who have completed triathlons and it seemed like an ambitious challenge. So I figured I’d give it a go.

"Training for one event is challenging enough, so why not train for three separate events at once?

“But actually, running straight off the bike is a totally different feeling. In the triathlon community they call the cycle to run transition ‘BRICK’ training – and I think this is because of that heavy cement-like feeling you get in your legs.

“I managed a time of one hour, 39 minutes. It’s nine minutes slower than my target place but I’ll settle for just having finished."

Keith and his partner Vivienne benefited greatly from the services offered by MND Scotland during his illness.

Keith was able to borrow equipment such as hoists and eye gaze machinery, as well as holidaying in a fully accessible chalet in Oban.

He said: “So far, Jenny and her sister Deborah have raised over £2,500 for MND Scotland.

"Originally my target was to raise £500 but thanks to the generosity of friends, family and co-workers the total raised is now over £1,000.

“I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has donated.”

You can support Scott by donating online at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ScottMilliken