A Johnston Carmichael Wealth team member will pay tribute to a late colleague’s love of wrestling – by dressing up as his favourite wrestlers for a series of Kiltwalk challenges to raise money for his close friend’s favourite charity. 

Johnston Carmichael Wealth technical specialist Grant Meldrum was close pals with dad-of-one Martin Leask, 41, who was a popular member of the firm’s Aberdeen team but sadly passed away after a short battle with bowel cancer last year.

Grant and colleagues wanted to do something in memory of wrestling fan Martin, and 19 team members from the firm will now step out for the mass participation walking events for Martin’s favoured charity Bear named Buttony.

Grant has also chosen to dress up as a wrestler for three separate Kiltwalks, and he’ll be joined by Martin’s daughter Eden, eight, as the pair both cross the line dressed as Hulk Hogan in tribute to her dad at the 18-mile Mighty Stride in Aberdeen on June 1.

He said: “Martin was an amazing guy, and we were really close friends.

“He had a brilliant sense of humour – one of those guys you can’t help but laugh when you’re around him. He never had a bad word to say about anyone.

“Martin was loved by everybody at the company, and we wanted to do something for a charity that was important to Martin. 

“Martin loved wrestling – it was his thing. I thought as a joke I’d dress up as a wrestler as it would have given him a smile and I’m going to dress as Hulk Hogan for the Aberdeen one.

“We’ve been speaking to Martin’s family, and his daughter Eden is also hoping to dress as Hulk Hogan, so it will be a really special moment that we can both do this for Martin on the day.”

Martin, who spent nearly a decade at the firm, rose to the role of technical specialist in the company’s Aberdeen office. His close friendship with Grant saw the pair travel to Germany last summer to cheer on Scotland in Euro 2024.

The dad-of-one, of Ellon, Aberdeenshire, was diagnosed with bowel cancer that August and sadly passed away two months later, leaving behind wife Isla, and daughter Eden.

He was a big supporter of Bear named Buttony for the help they provided him to adjust to life with a stoma after his diagnosis, so Grant and colleagues agreed that was the best cause to raise awareness for with their charity challenges.

Grant has already completed the first of three walks – dressed as the Ultimate Warrior – in Glasgow last month [April], with colleagues Eva Crichton, Kate Thompson, Ryan Davidson and Clara Keen. In Aberdeen, there are 18 colleagues from the Wealth team walking in support of Bear named Buttony.

More than £4,000 has already been raised by colleagues taking part across the various challenges, and the final amount will be given to charity following the Edinburgh Kiltwalk on 14 September.

Grant added: “Martin chose to support Bear named Buttony as it was a local charity and Martin couldn’t imagine how kids could cope with a stoma.

“This will very much be a team effort and it’s great to see the support we’ve had from across the company.

“We’re just hoping to raise as much money as possible in honour of Martin, because of the kind of guy he was.”

Kiltwalk is one of the UK’s biggest mass participation charity events and offers a choice of four events annually, taking place in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh. Walkers raise funds for the charities of their choice with every penny raised going towards helping those in need.

Johnston Carmichael has been a gold sponsor of Kiltwalk for almost 10 years as part of its commitment to the communities in which its people live and work.

Craig Hendry, Managing Director at Johnston Carmichael Wealth, said: “Martin was a brilliant guy – extremely popular, very sociable and well liked across our team

“I’m hugely proud of how our team have rallied behind this cause and it’s been great to see so many members sign up to take part in the Kiltwalk for a charity that meant so much to Martin. 

“Grant will probably raise a few smiles with his outfits across the challenges. We hope to raise as much money as possible for this very important cause, and I wish everyone the best of luck with this challenge.”

People wishing to donate to the cause can do so here.