All rivalries aside: the Ayrshire Derby Marathon

Football rivalries will be placed aside this Sunday when Scott McCue embarks on the ‘Ayrshire Derby Marathon’ to raise funds for Kilmarnock and Ayr United, in memory of his father Colin.

Following the Ayrshire Derby fixture at Rugby Park last February, Kilmarnock fan Colin McCue suffered a sudden cardiac arrest outside of the stadium on his return home from the match, and sadly passed away in hospital in the early hours of the next morning.

As the father and son were walking back to their car via Rugby Road when Colin fell ill, the first people on the scene were fans of Ayr United who funneled out of the Chadwick Stand away end of the ground and quickly rushed to Colin’s aid. His son Scott has since credited the actions of the away fans, for not only giving Colin a chance of survival, but granting Scott and his family a few more hours to say goodbye. Scott’s desire to pay thanks to the clubs for the support they have shown will now lead him on a journey to raise funds for community projects being carried out by the Ayrshire sides.

On Sunday, 25^th September, Scott will cover the 13 miles of ground between Rugby Park and Somerset Park, before returning back to his starting point in Kilmarnock to complete the second leg of the journey – almost an exact distance of 26 miles in total. Setting off from Rugby Park at 8am, Scott is hoping to reach the halfway mark at Somerset at around 10am, and is cautiously looking to complete the entire journey in under 4 hours; giving a rough half-hour window between 11.45am and 12.15pm for reaching the finishing line at Rugby Park.

Jordan Allison, Charity Manager at Kilmarnock FC, said: “The support KCST has witnessed since Scott announced the marathon has been incredible. With the funds raised so far, we have already purchased a community defibrillator. This will be installed outside the Moffat Stand, which will be accessible 24/7 and will be used to deliver training to local young people, starting as early as the October holidays.

“Our hope is that local young people can become First Aid training leaders, ensuring Scott’s fundraising provides a lasting legacy in memory of Colin. As well as this vital funding, the awareness raised about KCST’s wider community programmes has been hugely beneficial so we can’t thank Scott enough and wish him all the very best on Sunday – #WeAreKillie.”

Shaun Ferrie, Community Programme Manager at Ayr United, commented “The challenge Scott is doing representing his late father’s memory, we at Ayr United are right behind him and we’re proud that he has chosen to raise funds for Ayr United Community programmes. When it comes to life, football rivalry gets put aside and everyone comes together and from reading Colin’s story that is exactly what happened. Scott is highlighting this through various fundraising projects and we wish him and his family all the best for everything they are doing. Well done Scott, go and smash it – #WeAreUnited”

You can cheer on Scott this Sunday and also show support by making a donation which will continue to enhance community projects delivered by Kilmarnock and Ayr United – donate here.

Scott’s story in his own words can also be viewed here.