A COURAGEOUS young Greenock dad who has Motor Neurone Disease says his friends have kept him smiling as they rally round him.

Marc Fairbairn was just 18 when he was diagnosed with MND - a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles.

His best pals are in awe of the remarkable strength he has shown over his 12 year fight against the progressive disease - and bravery to speak out publicly to raise awareness of it.

Marc is turning 30 next month and to mark the momentous milestone, his friends have organised two fundraising events - a climb up Ben Nevis and a glittering ball in Greenock Town Hall.

They aim to raise as much money as they can to split between Marc and the charity MND Scotland.

Marc, of Nairn Road, smiled as he told the Tele how his friends have lifted his spirits.

He said: "It's very touching and it has given me a lift.

"It's picked me up.

"I'm very grateful that they are thinking about me.

"It's amazing and heartwarming."

Marc's caring pals - Paul Stinson, Danny Knox, Graham McAllister, Michael McAllister, Lee Pollock, Robert Taylor and Ally Cameron - were determined to do something to support him and his family and join the fight to help find a cure.

His friend Danny said: "We just wanted to do something to help Marc.

"We had been speaking about it for the last six months, trying to put something together.

"We came up to ask Marc's mum and dad if we could do something and they were delighted.

"Marc's been fighting this for about 12 years now and he's still going strong."

Ally Cameron describes Marc as a true inspiration.

He said: "When he was first diagnosed at a young age, he just blew me away with the fight he has in him.

"It's overwhelming the amount of support everyone has given Marc and MND Scotland.

"Everyone has pulled together and tried to do something for him.

"He's got a lot of close family and friends - you couldn't ask for a nicer family.

"All the boys just wanted to give something back as Marc was there for everybody throughout our childhood - he's been the glue that's kept us all together."

Paul added: "We just all wanted to do something to help him.

"Marc is an inspiration the way, the way he keeps going is unbelievable."

Marc's parents Karen and Frank say they are touched by the support his friends have shown.

Karen said: "They have always been there for him and by doing this, they have raised the bar.

"They're absolutely brilliant.

"It's amazing what they are doing, I'll never be able to thank them."

To raise as much money as they can, Marc's friends together with 60 supporters will trek up Ben Nevis on April 18.

Frank added: "The amount of people who are going to do Ben Nevis is totally overwhelming.

"We didn't realise it was going to be this big."

They have also organised a ball at the Greenock Town Hall on May 2 with radio stars George Bowie and Suzie McGuire.

His friends are also backing Marc's application to be included on the largest ever trial of drugs tackling motor neurone disease.

Marc has lost the ability to walk and needs help with all the daily tasks that people take for granted.

He's also losing his voice and will eventually need help to breathe.

His friends and his nine-year-old daughter Emily have been a tower of strength to him throughout his illness.

Marc said: "Emily has given me so much strength.

"She's the reason why I get out of bed every morning."

Marc hopes to go along to support his friends when they complete the Ben Nevis challenge and is also looking forward to meeting DJ George, who has kindly offered to play at the ball for free.

He said: "I have grown up listening to his GBX show, so it's special that he's coming to the ball."

Marc, who has a younger brother Steven, 27, says the help he has had shows the community spirit in Inverclyde.

He said: "This area gets a bad reputation some times, but everybody has rallied round me and shown me nothing but love and support.

"It makes me feel lucky to be from here.

"I can't thank everybody enough."

Marc hopes that by speaking out he will raise awareness of the condition and help one day find a cure for it.

Marc added: "I want to highlight how cruel MND can be for families."

Tickets for the ball will be on sale soon but anyone who would like to support the event including local businesses can email knoxy130185@gmail.com or paul.stinson@graham.co.uk.

Anyone who would like to donate money can do so online at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jennifer-mcallister?