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Edinburgh Live
4 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh golfer set for 'bold and brilliant' challenge in honour of late rugby star
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh man is playing 25 rounds of golf over five days in honour of a late rugby star who died of motor neurone disease (MND). George "Doddie" Weir, a Scottish rugby union player, died in 2022, aged 52. Inspired by the star's struggle, Graeme Smeaton aims to raise £25,000 for MND research through the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, a charity launched in the nickname of the player. Mr Smeaton will walk a total of 125 miles, hit over 2,000 shots, and will have less than 25 hours of sleep over the five days. He will be joined by former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Andy Irvine, and Roger Baird will join him across the week to keep pace and morale high. In memory of Doddie, he will wear Royal and Awesome's limited-edition Doddie tartan, 15 per cent of each sale goes to the charity. Graeme Smeaton, founder of Royal & Awesome golf, takes on the challenge from June 2-6. His JustGiving page had already amassed over £2,000 in donations by Monday morning. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox The rounds will be played on East Lothian courses Gullane, Luffness, Kilspindie and Longniddry. Ahead of the feat, Mr Smeaton 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." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. Also joining will be Doddie's son Hamish Weir and friends and family of MND campaigner Scott Stewart, who lost his battle with MND in December 2024. 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." Mr Smeaton will be posting about the challenge on his Instagram account. Find out more information on Graeme's JustGiving page here.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Couple running the length of Hadrian's Wall to raise money for two charities
A London couple are running the length of Hadrian's Wall over five days to raise money for two charities that are close to their hearts. Daniel and Amy Tarshish are undertaking the 137 kilometre trek from Bowness-on-Solway to Wallsend to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK and The OppO Foundation. Neither Amy nor Daniel are strangers to running long distances however running the equivalent of a half marathon everyday for five days with their gear on their back presents a different kind of challenge. But, they are both passionate about the causes they are supporting and the impact that fundraising will have on the lives of many people across the country. Daniel said: "Anybody who gives is making a difference for everybody else. "This is not about us, it's not about our friends and family, it's about the people who will benefit from the work that the charities do." Amy's mum passed away at 61-years-old from frontotemporal dementia which took her from vivacious person full of energy to someone who could barely swallow her food in just two years. They are keen to raise money for a charity that is working to make a difference for people like Amy's mum - and for everyone else who is at risk of developing Alzheimer's. Shortly before setting off on their journey former Prime Minister David Cameron, who is the President of Alzheimer's Research UK, got in touch to wish them good luck. Daniel added: "It's such a criminal thief of a disease and it's something that you can't really defend against. "You can do all the brain training and all that stuff that can keep your mind sharp, but if Alzheimer's decides it wants to get you, it will get you." Daniel is raising money for The OppO Foundation, of which he is a trustee, a charity that supports military veterans who have suffered life changing injuries by providing them with physical equipment to help them participate in different sports. The charity helps veterans rebuild their confidence by giving them a sense of purpose. At the last Invictus Games, the charity provided every British athlete with something that would enable them to participate, such as a titanium wheelchair, or something a little bit extra just to help them. "The service personnel for this country have done so much in the service of the nation," he said. "And they do it not just for their friends and family, they do it for people they don't know. They do it for the whole nation. "To sacrifice yourself or parts of yourself, if you like, for people that you don't know, that is really quite special." You can support Amy via JustGiving and Daniel via JustGiving.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Scots man fundraising for Doddie Weir charity to play 25 golf rounds in 5 days
"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." A Scots man is set to play 25 rounds of golf over five days to honour the late rugby legend Doddie Weir, and fundraise for research into motor neurone disease (MND). Graeme Smeaton aims to raise £25,000 for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, set up in memory of Weir, who died aged 52 in 2022 following a battle with the condition. Between Monday, June 2 and Friday, June 6, he will walk a total of 125 miles and hit over 2,000 shots, with less than 25 hours of sleep over the five days. The challenge will be staged on East Lothian courses at Gullane, Luffness, Kilspindie and Longniddry. Ahead of the impressive feat, he 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's JustGiving page has already amassed over £2,000 in donations, with just over a week to go until his challenge kicks off. He will be joined by former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Andy Irvine, and Roger Baird will join him across the week to keep pace and morale high. Also involved will be Doddie's son Hamish Weir, and friends and family of MND campaigner Scott Stewart, who lost his battle with MND in December 2024. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Graeme will don trousers in the official Doddie tartan designed in memory of Weir. The trousers were created by Graeme's own company Royal and Awesome, which produces eye-catching and colourful golf clothing. 15% of each sale will go to the charity. 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." Graeme's fundraising page can be found here. He will also post updates about his challenge on his Instagram account.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Charity football match to be held in memory of 'very special' coach
A grassroots football club near Carlisle is set to hold a charity match in memory of a 'very special' coach. Warwick Wanderers AFC, who are based at Warwick Bridge's Downagate, will host the charity match in aid of the British Heart Foundation on Sunday, May 25. The match will also be held in memory of former youth coach Kevin Graham, who sadly passed away in September 2022. In his memory, former Warwick Wanderers players will take on Warwick Wanderers coaches. Dan Percival is one of the former Warwick Wanderers players who will be taking part in the charity match and explained more about its aims. He said: "We were all young lads from the local area playing for the Warwick Wanderers Under 12s, and Kevin coached us all the way up to the senior level before we disbanded. "Unfortunately, Kevin passed away after a heart attack. "It should be a good event with some good football, we'll have a laugh, and try and raise some awareness for the British Heart Foundation, as well as keeping Kevin's memory alive. Kevin's family are also set to be involved in the charity match, including his son Lee, who has set up a JustGiving page ahead of the event to try and raise funds for the British Heart Foundation in his father's memory. At the time of writing, the JustGiving page has raised £190. He said: "We're coming together at Downagate to celebrate the life of a very special man — Kevin Graham. "A loving husband, father, grandad, and a dedicated coach, Kev gave over 15 years to Warwick Wanderers, guiding the same group of lads from U16s with unwavering passion, patience, and pride. If you would like to donate to Lee's JustGiving page, you can HERE
Daily Record
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Devastated Kilmarnock teachers to run Race for Life in tribute to beloved pupil Katy Hay
Teachers are hoping to reach their £10,000 target for Cancer Research UK in Katy Hay's memory. Park School teachers are set to take part in Race for Life as a heartfelt tribute to Katy Hay, a beloved S4 pupil who passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Fifteen-year-old Katy sadly lost her battle last month after fighting one of the rarest and most aggressive forms of bone cancer for the past year. The event, which raises money to fund life-saving cancer research, will see the Park School team running and walking in Katy's name. Julie Martin, one of the teachers taking part, got a leaflet through her door about the Race for Life in Ayr. Julie asked on WhatsApp group if any of the teachers would be interested in taking part. From that suggestion the idea of doing it for Katy sprang up. Alanah Robb, who was Katy's key teacher, took charge of the JustGiving page and Claire Matthews, the other S4 key teacher, took charge of the more publicity and marketing aspects of finding funding. On behalf of school Alanah and Claire shared with Ayrshire Live: "We are all excited and nervous about doing it in equal measure. Planning for this and getting Katy's story out there to raise money for Cancer Research has given us a purpose and made us feel that we are helping in a horribly sad and tragic time. "Words cannot express how devastated we are by the loss of Katy. We are a small, tight-knit school, more like a family really. "Katy will be sorely missed by staff and pupils alike. We are finding it very difficult to come to terms with this painful end to Katy's young life. "As a family we will support each other and ensure that Katy's spirit lives on within our community." Alanah and Claire described Katy as "cheeky, stubborn and feisty" but also "extremely loving, caring and supportive." They said: "Most people reading this never got the chance to meet Katy and only know about her because of her illness. However, Katy was so much more than her cancer diagnosis. "The Katy that we knew was full of personality and sass. She was cheeky, stubborn and feisty. She had withering looks and rolling her eyes down to a fine art. A typical teenager! "However, Katy was also extremely loving, caring, supportive, loyal to her friends and family and had a strong sense of right and wrong. She demonstrated immense strength and resilience always, not just when faced with the enormous challenges of this last year. "Katy came from a large, loving family who she spoke about her constantly. In fact, if you know Katy's family you will know they are a tribe of strong women who are never far from one another." Katy knew about the fundraiser before she passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 29. She was moved by the gesture from her teachers and felt proud. Katy's mum Shelly Cornick said: "I am so proud of the staff at Park School for doing this for Katy. "I just wish she was here to see it, she was so excited to go and watch them." Claire said: "Katy followed the progress of the fundraiser page and her mum Shelly told me that Katy was really proud of what we were trying to achieve in her name. They are completely supportive of everything that we are doing." She continued: "The last time we saw Katy was when a photographer came to Park School on Thursday, April 24 to take photos for an article on our participation in Race for Life. "Katy and her mum came too so that she could be in the photos with us wearing our Katy T-shirts. These T-shirts were kindly printed by Scott at Scottprint at no cost. "Katy and her mum had a good laugh at the T-shirts and Katy made sure that her mum showed us photos of her in her beautiful baby blue prom dress. Katy chatted about her upcoming trips to Craig Tara and Legoland. She talked about her new Beauty and the Beast Lego set and how she was looking forward to getting it started. She was in great form. "It was such a special morning and a memory we will all cherish. "In true Katy style she would not smile for the photographer Ross [Turpie] despite his best efforts. You really had to work hard to get a smile from Katy but when you succeeded it was so worth the effort." Park School teachers are now training for the Race for Life which will take place at The Low Green on Sunday, June 1. Alanah said: "We are all training in different ways. Some are planning to run the 10k so they are running most nights. A few of us are planning to walk so we are taking advantage of this good weather and getting out after work. "We have set up a team of 10 teachers but there are other teachers and Pupil Support Assistants who are going to join us on the day so I'm not sure how many there will be in total." She continued: "Scott at Scottprint printed Katy's photos onto our T-shirts at no cost. He also printed 300 leaflets to be distributed around the town. He has offered to reprint these with the painful update. Robin Burgess of Cyncronet, very kindly designed the leaflets at no cost and Morrisons and New Look donated the T-shirts." The JustGiving page has now raised over £3,000 in donations and teachers are hoping to reach their £10,000 target. Claire added: "More than ever we want to reach our goal. Katy was following our progress. She didn't get to have her prom or go to Lego Land so we want her to have this as her legacy." To support a fundraiser, please visit here.
