Angus MacDonald will next month embark on a 320-mile bike ride for Epilepsy Research UK, a charity close to the hearts of both himself and centre-back partner Marc Roberts who he hopes will remain alongside him for Barnsley.
MacDonald, 24, is aiming to raise £25,000 and some awareness of epilepsy which his sister Sophie suffers with, along with the sister of Roberts. He has had to delay his cycle from London to Paris from Thursday until June 15 due to a hamstring injury to friend Tom Anderson who is partnering him in the event.
MacDonald told the Chronicle: "I think a lot of people don't realise how many people suffer from epilepsy and how much of an impact it has on people's lives. I have had a lot of Barnsley fans come up to me and say they suffer with it or someone they know does and that just makes me even more determined to complete the ride and raise as much money and awareness as possible.
"My sister Sophie has suffered with epilepsy for six years so it is very close to my heart. I know Robbo's sister suffers with it as well, so he has been very supportive which is great."
Roberts has also helped MacDonald adapt to life with Championship club Barnsley after jumping up three divisions from non-league Torquay last summer. Angus now hopes his captain remains with the Reds next season despite interest from other clubs such as Aston Villa.
MacDonald said: "We have had a really good season together and formed a good partnership. He's a massive player for us. There is no hiding that there will be a lot of clubs interested in him because he is such a good player.
"It is up to him and the club whether he stays or leaves but I hope that I am playing with him next season because he's been fantastic to play alongside. People will leave and people will come in and we need to make sure that, whatever happens, we adapt and improve."
This time last year, MacDonald had just helped Torquay avoid relegation to the National League South and never imagined that 12 months later he would have played 39 of Barnsley's last 42 league games in the second tier.
He said: "I always hoped that I could get into league football but I thought it would be steady progression up the leagues over a few years. I never thought I would get a move to the Championship and play nearly every game. I'm really happy with my performances so far and how my career has gone.
"It was getting to the point last summer when I was getting into my mid-twenties and thinking that, if I didn't get a move soon, I would always stay in non-league and have to look for another job. I wasn't on the best money and I struggled at times but I was always focusing on football. I still need a back-up plan even now but obviously I am focused on being a professional footballer and on getting to the top level."
MacDonald began his career at Reading and was a regular in the England youth teams before a blood clot in his lung sidelined him for 19 months. He then had to rebuild his career in non-league football before moving to Barnsley.
"People take being fully fit for granted until something like that happens to them. It has made me more determined to make the most of my career and life. "It's a credit to myself to have played 40 games at a high level and now to be doing this bike ride. "I enjoy the challenge and that is partly because of what I have been through."
To donate to Angus' cause, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Angus-MacDonald7.
