Inspiring young footballer cycling from Glasgow to Euros eight months after horror incident

An incredible 18-year-old is set for the challenge of a lifetime as he embarks on a 1200km cycle from Glasgow to Munich alongside his 'Tartan Army Team'.

Last September, during the early stages of his football scholarship at a college in New York State, Ethan Walker was tragically hit by a car which left him fighting for his life in intensive care.

The then 17-year-old sustained catastrophic injuries including two brain haemorrhages, multiple fractures and the complete dislocation of his right knee. The fractured bones included his skull, shoulder, hand, pelvis and knee. Ethan - who was nicknamed Baby Blue by nurses - remained in hospital for nearly two months, unconscious initially, before gradually coming round.

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The inspiring teen from Huntly will set off from Hampden Park on June 1 alongside Orthopaedic Surgeon, Professor Gordon Mackay, who reconstructed Ethan's right knee and has been supporting his recovery since he landed back home in Scotland. Joining the pair are two tartan army members - documentary filmmaker, Martyn Robertson who is making a film about Ethan's story and Stephen Collie. They will also have a support vehicle driven by Richard Milburn.

Now that Euro 2024 is fast approaching, we may hear of some impressive journey's of Tartan Army fans making their way from Scotland to Munich. However, it’s unlikely to hear of a story so inspiring like Ethan's.

During an interview with the BBC, Ethan shared what football means to him - he said: "Football’s my pride and joy. I was playing with Huntly under-18s when I got a scholarship in America.

"I went there last summer and started five of our six games. I settled in amazingly.”

Ethan has no recollection of his tragic accident however, his mum Jaclyn shared her side of the story as she raced from their home in Scotland to New York to be by her son's side within 24 hours.

“I just wanted to get there, hold his hand and tell them that he was going to be all right," she said.

"I was picking up bits of information. He’d been hit by a car doing about 60mph [it was later deemed a no-fault accident].

"I was just in shock when I saw him. He was hooked up to absolutely everything, wires coming out of his brain.

"The first neurologist I spoke to in the trauma unit was lovely, but most of what he said went over my head.

"There was another doctor who said that he didn't think Ethan would make it. And he was asked very politely not to ever say anything like that again. Or maybe not so politely, I'm not sure."

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Recalling the moment Ethan went for surgery, Jaclyn said: "They said the surgery could result in him dying and I think that was the first time Paul [Ethan’s dad] saw me crying the whole time we were in hospital".

The family had a long road ahead following Ethan's discharge from Intensive Care. For six weeks his mum slept in a chair by his bedside, with Ethan's dad and sister nearby. He required months of tube feeding and his speech was "hushed and almost indecipherable".

Ethan has been commended for his fighting spirit which is said to have "shone through" during his fight for survival.

Now, the footballer, the surgeon, the film-maker and a Tartan Army foot soldier will be cycling their way to watch Steve Clarke’s men take on the host nation in the Euro 2024 opener.

The group are raising money for The Duncan Hospital Charitable Trust as well as The British Heart Foundation in memory of Stephen and Martyn's friend Jason Lyons who was the chargehand at The State Bar in Glasgow.

All donations can be made here - and you can follow the group on Facebook at Make it to Munich.

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