Make it to Munich: Teen cycling to Euros 2024 nine months after life-threatening accident
Ethan Walker suffered serious injuries after being hit by a car in September while in America for a college scholarship.
Nine months after being critically injured in a car accident, an Aberdeenshire teen is gearing up for an almighty cycle from Scotland to Munich for the Euros.
Ethan Walker, 18, left Huntly FC and travelled to the US for a college football scholarship but in September 2023 when walking back to his dorm, he was struck by a car.
He was left with life-threatening injuries including multiple fractures, two brain haemorrhages and a dislocated knee.
After six weeks in intensive care, Ethan travelled back home to Aberdeenshire where he met Professor Gordon Mackay - an orthopaedic surgeon - who reconstructed his knee and has supported him through recovery.
Ethan said he kept asking when he could return to the pitch, but Professor MacKay had a different challenge for him - cycling from Hampden to Munich.
He said: "At first I was quite surprised. I was like 'no way am I managing this'.
"Because it's only nine months after the accident and six months since he operated on me. So, I was very surprised if I would be able to do it.
Ethan is hoping it will give him a challenge and allow him to train again whilst taking his mind off football until he knows he can get back playing for certain.
Hampden to Munich
He won't be alone on his 1200km journey - his surgeon Professor MacKay, filmmaker Martyn Robertson and Tartan Army member Stephen Collie will be joining him.
Martyn will also be filming a documentary about Ethan's journey.
The group will set off from Hampden on 1 June with a 13-day cycle ahead of them, getting them there just in time for Scotland's kick off against Germany on 14 June in Munich.
The biggest challenge Ethan is worried about is cycling through the UK due to more difficult conditions, compared to flat surfaces and cycling infrastructure when they arrive in Holland.
Along the way they will be raising funds for The Duncan Hospital Charitable Trust and The British Heart Foundation.
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