Latest news with #GraemeSmeaton
Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
I'll play five rounds of golf every day for five consecutive days to raise money for MND research
An Edinburgh man is gearing up for an epic endurance test next week – playing five full rounds of golf every day for five consecutive days to raise money for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Graeme Smeaton will walk the equivalent of a marathon a day, cover 125-miles in total and hit around 2,000 shots, with a target of raising £25,000 towards MND research. The 41-year-old put the plan in motion after partnering with the charity to launch a limited-edition Doddie tartan range via his clothing company Royal & Awesome earlier in the year. The Morningside man got permission from several East Lothian golf courses including Gullane, Luffness and Longniddry to tee off at the break of dawn to carry out his challenge. Graeme said he usually plays 10 rounds of golf across the entire year but is ready to take on the 'gruelling' challenge which runs from Monday, June 2 to Friday, June 6. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Graeme Smeaton will play five full rounds of golf every day for five consecutive days to raise money for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation | My Name'5 Doddie Foundation Graeme said: 'These courses are where I fell in love with golf, so to take on this challenge here, for a cause as meaningful as My Name'5 Doddie Foundation's feels incredibly special. 'I'm aiming to raise £25,000 but the main goal is to raise awareness of the incredible work the foundation does to raise vital funds for MND research. This is nothing compared to what people living with MND go through every day. I just want to do my bit – and hopefully inspire donations along the way.' Graeme will be donning Royal & Awesome's limited-edition Doddie tartan range throughout the challenge, with 15 per cent of each sale going directly to support MND research. The Edinburgh man will also be joined by a rotating cast of supporters and friends, including former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Andy Irvine, and Roger Baird. Also joining will be friends and family of MND campaigner Scott Stewart, who lost his battle with MND in December 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking to the Evening News, Graeme said: 'I probably play golf socially on average 10 times a year, so this is a big step up from that. I think playing five rounds on the first day will probably be pretty tough. But then going to bed and getting five hours sleep before doing it all again for five days will be pretty gruelling. 'Then there's the unknown of what my swing is going to be like after playing for that length time. But I'll be trying to keep it down the middle to make the walking distances as short as possible. I'll just keep on keeping on. 'I looked at when the sun rises and sets this time of year and it rises about 4.30am and sets about 10 pm. That gives me exactly three and a half hours to do each round plus traveling between the courses, so I'll be starting at 4.30am and the last round will start at 6.30pm. I'm hoping to finish around 9.30pm which should get me a few hours sleep each night.' Paul Thompson, fundraising and communications firector at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, said: 'Graeme's challenge is bold, brilliant, and full of heart – exactly the kind of energy Doddie brought to life. We're incredibly grateful for his support and can't wait to see him take on all 25 rounds. He's doing something extraordinary to help fund vital research and raise awareness of MND.' You can support Graeme Smeaton's fundraiser by visiting the Just Giving website and follow his social media channels for updates.
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Golf brand founder to play 25 rounds in five days in MND charity fundraiser
The challenge will see Royal & Awesome's Graeme Smeaton hit more than 2,000 shots and walk the equivalent of nearly a marathon a day, while surviving on less than 25 hours of sleep. He is hoping his feat will raise £25,000 for the foundation, which was set up by the late Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir to fund research into motor neurone disease (MND). All 25 rounds will take place next month on some of East Lothian's revered courses, including Gullane, Luffness, Kilspindie and Longniddry – which Mr Smeaton said made the challenge 'incredibly special'. He explained: 'These courses are where I fell in love with golf. 'So to take on this challenge here, for a cause as meaningful as My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, feels incredibly special. 'I'm aiming to raise £25,000 but the main goal is to raise awareness of the incredible work the foundation does to raise vital funds for MND research. 'This is nothing compared to what people living with MND go through every day. I just want to do my bit – and hopefully inspire donations along the way.' Mr Smeaton will sport Royal & Awesome's limited-edition Doddie tartan range throughout the challenge, 15% of each sale of which will go directly to support MND research. He will also be joined by a rotating cast of supporters and friends during the week, including former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Andy Irvine and Roger Baird. Also among those who will accompany him are Weir's son Hamish, and friends and family of MND campaigner Scott Stewart, who lost his battle with the condition in December. Paul Thompson, director of fundraising and communications at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, said: 'Graeme's challenge is bold, brilliant, and full of heart – exactly the kind of energy Doddie brought to life. 'We're incredibly grateful for his support and can't wait to see him take on all 25 rounds. 'He's doing something extraordinary to help fund vital research and raise awareness of MND.' The challenge takes place from June 2 to 6. For more information about it, or to make a donation, visit
STV News
6 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Golf brand founder to play 25 rounds in five days in MND charity fundraiser
The founder of a golf clothing brand is set to play 25 full rounds of golf in five days to raise money for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. The challenge will see Royal & Awesome's Graeme Smeaton hit more than 2,000 shots and walk the equivalent of nearly a marathon a day, while surviving on less than 25 hours of sleep. He is hoping his feat will raise £25,000 for the foundation, which was set up by the late Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir to fund research into motor neurone disease (MND). All 25 rounds will take place next month on some of East Lothian's revered courses, including Gullane, Luffness, Kilspindie and Longniddry – which Mr Smeaton said made the challenge 'incredibly special'. He explained: 'These courses are where I fell in love with golf. 'So to take on this challenge here, for a cause as meaningful as My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, feels incredibly special. 'I'm aiming to raise £25,000 but the main goal is to raise awareness of the incredible work the foundation does to raise vital funds for MND research. 'This is nothing compared to what people living with MND go through every day. I just want to do my bit – and hopefully inspire donations along the way.' Mr Smeaton will sport Royal & Awesome's limited-edition Doddie tartan range throughout the challenge, 15% of each sale of which will go directly to support MND research. He will also be joined by a rotating cast of supporters and friends during the week, including former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Andy Irvine and Roger Baird. Also among those who will accompany him are Weir's son Hamish, and friends and family of MND campaigner Scott Stewart, who lost his battle with the condition in December. Paul Thompson, director of fundraising and communications at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, said: 'Graeme's challenge is bold, brilliant, and full of heart – exactly the kind of energy Doddie brought to life. 'We're incredibly grateful for his support and can't wait to see him take on all 25 rounds. 'He's doing something extraordinary to help fund vital research and raise awareness of MND.' The challenge takes place from June 2 to 6. For more information about it, or to make a donation, visit Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Golf brand founder to play 25 rounds in five days in MND charity fundraiser
The founder of a golf clothing brand is set to play 25 full rounds of golf in five days to raise money for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. The challenge will see Royal & Awesome's Graeme Smeaton hit more than 2,000 shots and walk the equivalent of nearly a marathon a day, while surviving on less than 25 hours of sleep. He is hoping his feat will raise £25,000 for the foundation, which was set up by the late Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir to fund research into motor neurone disease (MND). All 25 rounds will take place next month on some of East Lothian's revered courses, including Gullane, Luffness, Kilspindie and Longniddry – which Mr Smeaton said made the challenge 'incredibly special'. He explained: 'These courses are where I fell in love with golf. READ MORE: How Scotland's MND charities have been 'game-changing' for woman since diagnosis Ex-doctor whose life was shattered' by MND to raise money for Doddie Weir foundation Doddie Weir charity in campaign highlighting devastating impact of MND 'So to take on this challenge here, for a cause as meaningful as My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, feels incredibly special. 'I'm aiming to raise £25,000 but the main goal is to raise awareness of the incredible work the foundation does to raise vital funds for MND research. 'This is nothing compared to what people living with MND go through every day. I just want to do my bit – and hopefully inspire donations along the way.' Mr Smeaton will sport Royal & Awesome's limited-edition Doddie tartan range throughout the challenge, 15% of each sale of which will go directly to support MND research. He will also be joined by a rotating cast of supporters and friends during the week, including former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Andy Irvine and Roger Baird. Also among those who will accompany him are Weir's son Hamish, and friends and family of MND campaigner Scott Stewart, who lost his battle with the condition in December. Paul Thompson, director of fundraising and communications at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, said: 'Graeme's challenge is bold, brilliant, and full of heart – exactly the kind of energy Doddie brought to life. 'We're incredibly grateful for his support and can't wait to see him take on all 25 rounds. 'He's doing something extraordinary to help fund vital research and raise awareness of MND.' The challenge takes place from June 2 to 6. For more information about it, or to make a donation, visit
South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Golf brand founder to play 25 rounds in five days in MND charity fundraiser
The challenge will see Royal & Awesome's Graeme Smeaton hit more than 2,000 shots and walk the equivalent of nearly a marathon a day, while surviving on less than 25 hours of sleep. He is hoping his feat will raise £25,000 for the foundation, which was set up by the late Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir to fund research into motor neurone disease (MND). All 25 rounds will take place next month on some of East Lothian's revered courses, including Gullane, Luffness, Kilspindie and Longniddry – which Mr Smeaton said made the challenge 'incredibly special'. He explained: 'These courses are where I fell in love with golf. 'So to take on this challenge here, for a cause as meaningful as My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, feels incredibly special. 'I'm aiming to raise £25,000 but the main goal is to raise awareness of the incredible work the foundation does to raise vital funds for MND research. 'This is nothing compared to what people living with MND go through every day. I just want to do my bit – and hopefully inspire donations along the way.' Mr Smeaton will sport Royal & Awesome's limited-edition Doddie tartan range throughout the challenge, 15% of each sale of which will go directly to support MND research. He will also be joined by a rotating cast of supporters and friends during the week, including former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Andy Irvine and Roger Baird. Also among those who will accompany him are Weir's son Hamish, and friends and family of MND campaigner Scott Stewart, who lost his battle with the condition in December. Paul Thompson, director of fundraising and communications at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, said: 'Graeme's challenge is bold, brilliant, and full of heart – exactly the kind of energy Doddie brought to life. 'We're incredibly grateful for his support and can't wait to see him take on all 25 rounds. 'He's doing something extraordinary to help fund vital research and raise awareness of MND.' The challenge takes place from June 2 to 6. For more information about it, or to make a donation, visit
