A DUNBLANE man who suffers from Motor Neurone Disease has reached his outstanding fundraising target of £100,000 for MND Scotland by cycling 5000km on his rehab cycling machine.

Calum Ferguson was first diagnosed back in March 2010, and though he continued to work for two years, he later became wheelchair bound.

Despite hospital care, his condition worsened still and provisions were put in place so that he could "come home to die" in December 2012.

However, the father of three was determined to fight and recovered enough to embark on an epic fundraising campaign to help other MND sufferers gain access to the same care that he received.

By hiring a rehab cycling machine, which is not readily available to all MND patients, the 52-year-old has been able to cycle almost the entire distance between his home and New York City.

All the money raised from his efforts will go towards providing care and equipment to prolong the lives of those diagnosed with the condition.

Recalling his journey, Calum said: “As a 46 year old with three young children, this was a devastating piece of news, particularly given the poor prognosis.

"However, I decided from the outset that I was not going to give in easily. I kept working for two years and we had some memorable family holidays to the USA, Australia and across Europe.

“I became wheelchair bound in March 2012 and seriously ill during the autumn of 2012. I appeared to be in the typical end of life spiral of MND and after a period in the intensive care unit, during November 2012, I was transferred to my local hospice in December 2012.

"By this time I was ventilated, had a feeding tube fitted and I was not expected to live for more than six weeks.

“At this point Stirling Council and NHS Scotland came together to ensure I was able to come home to die.

"A care package was put in place and after spending what we all thought was my last Christmas in the hospice, I came home on 27 December 2012.

"Amazingly, due to the combination of good care, equipment, and physiotherapy my condition improved and has since pretty much stabilised.

"Now I have limited mobility but I am still able to talk normally and eat a good, albeit modified diet. I can use the computer via Eyegaze, which enables me to control my computer with my eyes."

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided.

Patients often need round the clock care from loved ones, something which Calum is grateful for.

He said: "There are many people who have helped see me through the six years of our journey. Above all others is my wife Elise, who has been my rock and at times a beacon through the many dark moments.

"Elise has supported me through every step of the way from that fateful day in the Southern General. I can’t thank her enough for this love and support.

"Many of my family have gone above and beyond what could be reasonably expected to help us. My extensive medical team and care staff have been great, I would consider many of my carers as friends.”

Calum added: "In terms of the future, I plan to keep campaigning for as long as I can and show that no matter how disabled folks may be, society should never write us off, as we can still achieve great things.”

Iain McWhirter, head of fundraising and volunteering at MND Scotland, said: “The impact of Calum’s fundraising and awareness raising efforts is already making a real difference to others affected by MND.

"The money Calum has raised is helping us continue supporting people affected by the illness across Scotland; not only improving their lives by providing the necessary equipment, but also paying for essential home adaptations.

"We are extremely grateful to Calum for all his hard work and raising £100,000 is such an incredible achievement.”

Anyone wishing to donate to Calum’s campaign can visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/Calum-Ferguson1 or to check out his YouTube channel head over to youtube.com/channel/UCK5lAAFobCEkj6RjfzJ4Mhw