Taking place this Saturday 4 May, the lads are asking football fans and the public to get behind them to help them reach their fundraising target.

Scotland Goalkeeper and arm amputee Stephen Tully of Hamilton, and left-back Rob Wilson who is a leg amputee from Dundee, will set off early from Motherwell FC’s Fir Park, running a route via Hamilton Accies, Celtic Park, Firhill and Ibrox. The challenge, for which Rob will wear a special prosthetic blade, will culminate at Hampden Park where the players will finish with a lap of the pitch. The clubs have pledged their support and will welcome and support the players on their challenge.

The National Amputee squad is part of Amputee Football Association Scotland, a charity set up in 2017 dedicated to growing the discipline in Scotland, and the sport has enjoyed significant growth in recent years. In November 2023, Scotland hosted Group D of the European Amputee Football Nations League competition in Fife, with attendance of more than 500 spectators and live-streamed matches. Capturing the hearts of the nation, the squad finished third in the group, having faced teams from The Netherlands, Albania, Kosovo and Azerbaijan, to secure their place at the Euros in France.

Amputee football is unexpectedly fast paced, dynamic and physically gruelling on the upper body. It is well established across the world, with leagues operating in more than 30 countries worldwide. The Scotland squad currently plays in the Irish Amputee Football league. The game is played on crutches with teams of seven-a-side. Those in goals must have an upper limb amputation while those outfield a lower amputation.

While the charity receives financial support from Scottish Para-Football, the Scottish FA’s governing body for disability football in Scotland, the team needs to raise a further £20,000 to get them to France. This is the first time Scotland has qualified for the Amputee Football European Championships.

As the challenge draws closer, Tully (36) of Hamilton and Wilson (35) of Dundee are putting out a final appeal to both football fans and the public to get behind them, so they too can experience the glory of playing in the tournament of a lifetime.

The duo will run the route as follows: Fir Park → Hamilton Accies → Celtic Park → Firhill → Ibrox → Hampden

This works out to 25 miles before finishing with lap of Hampden.

Rob Wilson, who lost his lower leg as an infant due to a club foot, will run on a specially designed running blade. Having played with the team for the last six years having joined after attending a pilot session with Dundee United, the honour of playing for Scotland is not lost on him.

Wilson commented: “Everyone dreams of putting on the national jersey and representing their country but so few ever get the chance to do so. The honour is huge and we intend to do our nation proud.

“We’re under no illusions as to the fundraising challenge we’ve set ourselves – it’s not only the fitness required for the distance, but the difficulties that come with running on a prosthetic are challenging too. We hope that people will get behind us both in donating and coming out to support us as we stop off at these football clubs in a bid to get the team to France.”

Ashley Pedersen, CEO of Scottish Para-Football and founder of Amputee Football Association Scotland, commented: “Para-football in Scotland is growing exponentially and to see our Amputee squad reach a European Competition is testament to the commitment in Scotland to growing disability football.

“Inevitably, with multiple disciplines of para-football now partaking in regular international tournaments, it poses significant costs and we’re hopeful that the generous public will help us meet those costs.”

The team’s fundraising campaign can be supported here.

The Scottish Housing News Charity Spotlight feature highlights the vital work of charities across Scotland each Friday. To include your local charity, whether housing-related or not, send your story and images to us at newsdesk@scottishnews.com.