Celtic legend John Hartson takes on West Highland Way in memory of former Parkhead worker

Former Hoops striker John Hartson will be completing the West Highland Way later this year to raise cash for charity Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland – and in memory of a former Celtic Park receptionist who sadly lost her life to lung disease COPD last year.

John described Marie Milne as a “great character” who he got to know very closely during his time at Parkhead. He said: “Marie was a lovely lady, she used to work here. She was a great character and she was a wonderful friend of mine personally. It’s a great thing to do. It’s a tough thing to do, the West Highland Way.

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John Hartson is taking on the West Highland Way. Photo: Gordon Terris for the Glasgow Times

“I remember her smile and her banter. She was brilliant. She was so infectious and so funny. She had an answer for everything. She would do anything for any of the players – she loved the players. They loved her as well and she was there every morning.

Marie Milne, former Celtic park worker died of COPD in 2020

“She used to do my fan mail, I used to get one or two letters then, not so many now though. She was more than happy to help us out with that. She was a wonderful lady. I still miss her today.”

John also revealed that he has lost some close friends to strokes and tragically, his beloved sister Hayley passed away in October 2020 aged just 47 after suffering from a heart attack. The Hoops legend added: “I have friends who have suffered from strokes. I lost my sister to a heart attack and she was only 47.

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"That was a tough one, we were all devastated. My parents will never get over losing their daughter. She died suddenly, back in Wales.

"Lots of my friends have had strokes. The money that we raise will go into different causes to help the disease and into technology and research to prevent more of these things.

“My sister was healthy. It’s heartbreaking when you lose someone to these diseases. A lot of the time it can be sudden. You just never know what’s around the corner. I just wanted to do my little bit to help my friends.”

He admitted he hadn’t started training for the walk yet and added: “Hopefully it’s not too steep. It’s pretty flat so it’s important to get the right footwear.”

Last year, John underwent knee replacement surgery and in 2018, he had a horrific accident with a golf buggy, requiring 48 stitches in his head. He revealed he is feeling anxious about competing with men 20 years his junior.

Brian Joyce, John Hartson, Robert Speirs and Chris Mullen outside of Celtic Park. Picture: Gordon Terris, Glasgow Times

John will be joining a fundraising team of six to take on the treacherous challenge including Marie’s son, Chris Mullen.

The 34-year-old previously climbed Ben Nevis to raise vital funds for the charity back in 2020 and is ready to take on the West Highland Way this year. He said: “It gives me goals and it keeps me focused. If I’ve no focus then I just go off the rails.

“I climbed Ben Nevis in 2020, but there were Covid restrictions in place so the photos just had me in them because of social distancing. But this time everyone is involved and we can all get in close.

“I wanted to do another big challenge to keep raising money for CHSS because of the vital work they do to care for people with COPD. My mum had COPD and so does my dad so it’s a cause that means a lot to me. 

“As soon as I mentioned the West Highland Way to John, he was on board. We’re not setting any targets, but it would be fantastic to beat the total raised by the Ben Nevis climb.

“I’ve also been working in NHS Test and Trace during the pandemic and seeing so many people left with chest and lung conditions because of Covid-19 has made me more determined to do something to help.”

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The cohort is also raising funds for the Scottish Ambulance Service endowment fund after John praised the efforts of ambulance staff in saving his life – on multiple occasions.

“When I was in the hospital, literally fighting for my life, I had testicular cancer that spread to my lungs and onto my brain. Two things had to go well: I had to survive the ambulance from one hospital to the other and then I had to survive brain surgery.

Chris Mullen, John Hartson, Bryan Joyce and Robert Speirs at Celtic Park

“I’ve just got so much respect for the guys who do all of their training, the paramedics and the ambulance drivers. I split my head open a few years ago and was rushed to hospital. I had to have 48 stitches in my head.

“These paramedics, they’re first on the scene and the things that they see, they’re so brave. They’re so composed. They are just miraculous people. I’ve got total respect for what they do.”

Allan Cowie from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “What John, Chris and the team are doing will make such a huge difference to people’s lives. The money they raise will be helping people with COPD breathe better and spend more quality time with those they love.

“Every £20 raised funds an hour of support so please get behind the team as much as you can!”