Footballer smashes third charity challenge in support of families with Huntington’s disease

Footballer and volunteer fundraiser Robbie McNab has smashed his latest challenge in support of families, including his own, who are impacted by Huntington’s disease.

While it typically takes between eight and 10 days, the 29-year-old Stirling Albion midfielder and his long-time pal, Scot Buist, completed the West Highland Way in just four. That meant averaging around 25 miles and up to 10 hours each day to do the 96-miles from Milngavie to Fort William.

Robbie began his footballing career at Falkirk Under-17s, his local team, before progressing to the under-20s team. After a successful stint as Captain of Cowdenbeath, he now combines playing for Stirling Albion with co-ownership of the busy OWNNIT gym in Falkirk with business partner Liam Healy.

His West Highland Way fundraiser is the latest in a series of gruelling charity challenges. In 2024, Robbie gathered a team of friends for a 24-hour mountain marathon, conquering Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England, and Snowdonia in Wales in just one day. Before that, in 2023, Robbie ran the 1,345 metres to the top of Ben Nevis in just 90 minutes – then took only 53 minutes to get back down.

His efforts over the years have raised nearly £10,000 so far for Scottish Huntington’s Association, the only charity in the country dedicated exclusively to supporting individuals and families living with Huntington’s disease.

It’s a cause close to Robbie, who will one day develop the untreatable brain condition having inherited it from his dad Allan, who passed away last year. Robbie’s late grandmother, who died when he was a child, also had the disease, which causes complex physical, cognitive and mental health symptoms.

“Huntington’s disease takes its toll on whole families and relationships,” said Robbie. “We saw how my dad changed as the disease progressed – he was always an ‘up and at it’ kind of person but it became more difficult for him physically and mentally as the years passed. The West Highland Way challenge was a way to pay tribute to him and all the other families living with this terrible disease.

“I tested positive in my early 20s for the faulty gene that causes it, so I know I’ll get symptoms at some stage. What I don’t know is when they’ll start, so I don’t take my mind or my body for granted. I enjoy myself but have a much healthier lifestyle to stay as fit and as strong as possible. Life’s short and mine could be shorter in terms of quality.”

Huntington’s disease damages the brain over time, and can eventually leave people unable to walk, talk, eat, drink and care for themselves. Generally speaking, Huntington’s symptoms begin to develop between the ages of 30 and 50, continuing for between 10 and 25 years until the end of life.

The devastating impact of the genetic condition on families is compounded by the reality that it is passed down from one generation to the next. Anyone who has a parent with Huntington’s has a 50% risk of also inheriting the condition.

Families impacted by the disease rely on the specialist services provided by Scottish Huntington’s Association through its nationwide network of HD Specialists and Specialist Youth Advisors, and its Financial Wellbeing Service.

“My mum Amanda had support from Scottish Huntington’s Association over the years to help her cope with Dad’s illness, and she also attended the charity’s conferences and events,” said Robbie.

“For a long time I didn’t speak about the disease, how it was changing my dad, or the fact that I know I will develop it too. Then, after running up Ben Nevis, I began telling people so I could help to raise awareness and support for families and for the charity they rely on, Scottish Huntington’s Association.”

Scottish Huntington’s Association Chief Executive Alistair Haw praised Robbie’s commitment to helping other families and his determination to get more people talking about Huntington’s disease.

“May is the global Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month so there is no better time for Robbie to be taking action once again in support of our cause,” said Alistair.

“He has raised an incredible amount of money for the charity and his efforts have reached far and wide to increase understanding about the disease and the need for the specialist support services that only Scottish Huntington’s Association provides. Robbie is an inspiration, and everyone at our charity is enormously grateful for everything he does to raise funds and awareness for our cause.”

Visit hdscotland.org to find out more about Huntington’s disease and the services provided by Scottish Huntington’s Association. You can also donate to Robbie’s challenge on the JustGiving site.