His son said supporters of all football teams, and none, are welcome to join the event next month.
A charity walk is to take place in Glasgow in honour of a football legend who died from motor neurone disease (MND).
The Celtic FC Foundation and MND Scotland will jointly host Jinky’s Journey on May 4 to remember the life and legacy of club legend Jimmy “Jinky” Johnstone, who died in 2006 aged 61 after battling the incurable disease for five years.
Jinky is regarded as the team’s best player by many fans, having scored 130 goals across 515 appearances with the club, and he also played 23 times for Scotland.
The seven-mile charity walk will start at the Jimmy Johnstone Memorial Garden in Viewpark and end at Celtic Park, where a statue of Jinky is erected in his memory.
Funds raised will be shared between MND Scotland and the Celtic FC Foundation, with the latter donating the cash to its Lions Lunch Breaks projects which support people with dementia and their carers.
Supporters of all teams and non-football fans alike have been asked to get involved, show their support, and celebrate the life of Jinky.
Jinky’s son, James Johnstone, said: “My dad was always on the move. Even after retiring, he was always training.
“When I was young, he’d take me to places like Wooddean Park in Bothwell during pre-season.
“The Celtic players would sneak off the main pitch to have a kickabout with us kids.
“As a wee boy, standing on that pitch with professional players is something I’ll never forget. Dad loved those moments. He loved people. He loved making folk happy.
🏡🍀 From Viewpark to Celtic Park
Jinky’s Journey follows a 7-mile path honouring The Greatest Ever Celt’s roots and legacy🚶♂️
Join us on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4 ✊
🔗 https://t.co/eXAScSqmI4@CelticFC | #MNDScotland pic.twitter.com/sbKh5dM1VT
— Celtic FC Foundation (@FoundationCFC) April 14, 2026
“People think of him as this superstar, but to me, he was just my dad. Funny, stubborn, always up for a laugh. He could turn any dull day into a story. I miss those wee things more than anything.”
Mr Johnstone recalled his father first experiencing pins and needles, loss of balance, and eventually the loss of his ability to walk, speak, or feed himself.
His son said: “My dad hated being a burden. He hated asking for help. Even when he needed someone to hold a cup to his mouth, he’d apologise.
“That’s the thing people don’t see – the emotional part. He wasn’t just losing strength. He was losing independence, and that crushed him more than anything.
“He stopped going to events because he didn’t want people seeing him like that. He didn’t want people feeling sorry for him.”
Mr Johnstone will be joined on the walk by his mother, his sister, his children, and fans.
Ahead of the event, he said: “Jinky’s Journey is about more than football.
“It’s about bringing people together: Celtic fans, Rangers fans, people who don’t even follow football. MND doesn’t care who you support. It can affect every family, every background.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank-you.
“This isn’t about Celtic or Rangers, it’s about motor neurone disease and remembering my dad.
“We’re so grateful for every single person supporting this.”
To donate to the JustGiving fundraiser, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/james-johnstone-number-7.
To register for the event, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jinkys-journeytickets-1981310444876.
