From Hampden to Munich, one fan's trek for extra time

Craig Ferguson hopes his 1,000-mile Euro 2024 trek raises awareness of men’s mental health and suicide prevention

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

What lengths would you go to in order to support your country at a major tournament? Would you walk 500 miles? And then 500 more? When Craig Ferguson arrives in Munich on the eve of Euro 2024, the 20-year-old from Paisley will have walked 1,000 miles in 41 days across six countries to support Scotland in Germany and fulfil a lifelong dream.

But for Ferguson, an epic challenge has been fuelled by a greater cause. After departing Hampden on 5 May in his kilt and Scotland top, with only a pack of additional clothes and supplies strapped to his back, his long days on the road have been driven by raising funds for men’s mental health and male suicide prevention charities. There has been a close source of inspiration, too. The idea of walking from Hampden to Munich came from one of Ferguson’s best mates, whose dad took his own life while they were teenagers in high school.

“It’s such a big issue,” Ferguson tells The Independent from the German countryside, just outside of Stuttgart. “Football unites a lot of men together. Using the Euros to channel that energy into spreading awareness of men’s mental health, I thought it was the perfect opportunity.”