Inverness born man's fundraiser Down Under to thank hospital for cancer care
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going” is the name of a famous Billy Ocean hit – and that is exactly what former Inverness Thistle goalkeeper Gordon MacDonald is doing right now from his home in Perth, Australia.
He is focused on a major fundraising effort to help the hospital where he has been receiving intensive treatment following his diagnosis of terminal brain cancer. With the help of friends, Gordon plans to cycle 200 kilometres next month over two days to raise funds for the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, via Charlie’s Foundation for Research.
Originally from the Highland capital, Gordon (63) went to school at Central Primary and Inverness High School, excelling at most sports, including golf, athletics, cricket and badminton. At football, he played in goal and signed for Inverness Thistle in the late 1970s. A leg break curtailed his career and he moved south to follow a career in policing with the London Metropolitan and Sussex Police Service UK. On his retiral, in 2012 he moved permanently to Perth.
In the 1980s and early 1990s, Gordon completed 11 marathons, including those at London and New York and raised money for charities such as the Leonard Cheshire Foundation, Guide Dogs for the Blind and contributions towards the Highland Hospice and Inverness Hospital Radio.
He is the middle son of Margaret MacDonald, who lives in Inverness, and the late Donnie MacDonald, who played for all three Inverness Highland League football sides, and is a former president of Inverness Golf Club. Gordon has two daughters, Grace and Thea. He married Sue in 2006 and has four step children, Katie, Rachael, Christopher and Rebecca.
Gordon wrote on his appeal page: “After being diagnosed with Glioblastoma a Grade 4 Terminal Brain Cancer in January of 2022, and given a prognosis of 12-15 months I've defied the odds and now want to give back in thanks to the incredible staff at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, especially the Cancer Care Convenors who are the Florence Nightingales of the team!
“My treatment included a craniotomy de-bulking surgery removing 80 per cent of the tumour; followed by daily radiation and oral chemotherapy for six and a half weeks, leading to an on-going regimen of oral chemotherapy for five days each month. My tumour was located in the left occipital lobe which causes difficulty with my sight and reduction of vision on one side.
“My tenacity and determination to succeed is ingrained in part from my career within the London Metropolitan and Sussex Police Service UK where I retired following 30 years and one day of service (the extra day was to make sure my pension was in haha!).
"I have currently been employed by the Department of Justice here in Perth WA for the last eight years and despite my diagnosis I am managing to work for a few hours each week to keep my hand in while enjoying the camaraderie of my colleagues!
"12 months on and I am still here, challenging myself through my fitness and positivity to keep going for myself, my wife Sue, family and friends who continue to support me every step of the way.
"So… I'm riding my bike from Perth to Bunbury; approximately 200km over 2 days, in late March 2023 accompanied by a few keen supporters and would love if you could please donate to a cause close to my heart (or in my case my head!)."
Gordon’s older brother Jeff, is based mainly in Austin, Texas, and his younger brother Kevin, who played for Caledonian, Leicester City, Liverpool, Coventry City and Rangers, and coached at Aston Villa, lives near Leicester.
Gordon added: "All donations will be managed through Charlies Foundation for Research, the fundraising arm of SCGOPHG, who aim to improve patient treatment outcomes at all stages of life. You can more about my condition here."
Gordon’s wife Sue wrote on his appeal page: “I am an incredibly proud wife in absolute awe of Mac’s strength and determination to remain with us as long as he possibly can and focus on helping others.”
Gordon phones his 91-year-old mum every day to find out how she is doing; to keep her advised of his condition and to let her know how the appeal is progressing. His mum is very proud of her son’s determination to leave a legacy to the hospital in recognition of his treatment and continuing care. They are looking forward to meeting in June at a family gathering when Gordon and Sue are booked to fly to the UK for the wedding of Grace on the south coast of England.
Anyone who would like to contribute to Gordon’s fund-raiser can do so by clicking on this link.
