Latest news with #MNDScotland
Daily Record
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Scot selling huge sports memorabilia collection he spent 30 years building
John Horne is selling his collection to raise money for charity. A Scots man who has spent three decades building an incredible collection of sports memorabilia is to sell nearly all of it at auction to raise money for charity. John Horne, from Glasgow, started acquiring pieces in 1995, and has since amassed one of the largest collections of private sports memorabilia in Scotland. It includes signed football shirts and signed photographs of players, and mementos from the worlds of boxing and golf. Over 130 pieces will be auctioned off, with proceeds donated to two charities close to John's heart- cancer charity The Emmie Smillie Foundation and MND Scotland. His collection began with Old Firm related items. The same year he started collecting, he established his own company, JR Scaffold Services, and has also organised the auction to celebrate its 30th anniversary, reports Glasgow Live. Pieces available to bid on include signed shirts from Graeme Souness, Ronaldo, Jimmy Johnstone, Brian Laudrup, and Lionel Messi, as well as signed photos of players including Diego Maradona, Peter Shilton and George Best. Rare boxing memorabilia, including items signed by Muhammad Ali, and golf mementos from Masters champions are also among the listings. 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. John said: 'This journey started with Old Firm memorabilia and a desire to support good causes. Over the years, I've been lucky to acquire pieces from some of the biggest names in sport. 'Every item holds a story, a moment, a memory, and while it's emotional to part with them, this feels like the right time. Giving back has always been part of our company's DNA, and this is my way of doing something personal to honour that as we hit 30 years.' He added: 'The auction will raise funds for the Emmie Smillie Foundation, a tribute to a wonderful young girl taken far too soon. Her dad, Andy Smillie, helped us start our company and our families remain close friends. We're also supporting MND Scotland, in memory of Aaron Souttar, another young life lost too early. His parents, Jack and Heather, are dear friends also.'
Glasgow Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Signed Messi and Maradona items in charity auction
John Horne, managing director of JR Scaffold, part of the JR Group, is putting more than 130 sports items under the hammer to raise funds for the Emmie Smillie Foundation and MND Scotland. The items includes signed shirts from Graeme Souness, Ronaldo, Jimmy Johnstone, Brian Laudrup, and Lionel Messi; iconic framed photos autographed by Diego Maradona, Peter Shilton, and George Best; and a range of rare boxing and golf memorabilia, including items signed by Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods, and Masters champions. (Image: Supplied) Mr Horne began collecting memorabilia the same year he launched the business in Govan in 1995. He said: "This journey started with Old Firm memorabilia and a desire to support good causes. Read more: Body found in Loch Lomond in search for 83-year-old man Panathinaikos boot out stunning £17m bid ahead of Rangers Champions League tie "Over the years, I've been lucky to acquire pieces from some of the biggest names in sport. "Every item holds a story, a moment, a memory, and while it's emotional to part with them, this feels like the right time. (Image: Supplied) "Giving back has always been part of our company's DNA, and this is my way of doing something personal to honour that as we hit 30 years. "The auction will raise funds for the Emmie Smillie Foundation, a tribute to a wonderful young girl taken far too soon. "Her dad, Andy Smillie, helped us start our company and our families remain close friends. (Image: Supplied) "We're also supporting MND Scotland in memory of Aaron Souttar, another young life lost too early. "His parents, Jack and Heather, are dear friends also." The online auction will run for two weeks from Monday, June 30, and is organised by Blue Parrot Events Group through their Event PAL fundraising platform. To place a bid, visit JR Group was founded as a scaffolding business and has since grown into a building and construction firm, employing around 200 people.
Glasgow Times
20-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Renfrewshire provost opens up on late mum's brave MND battle
Councillor Lorraine Cameron explained how her mother Eileen Connell bravely battled the disease. Her mum moved in with her a month after the diagnosis as it became clear she was struggling to cope and Lorraine detailed the process. She said: "My beautiful mum, Eileen, was diagnosed in 2009 with MND. It took a long time for her to be diagnosed. "Looking back, I reckon she had it for at least a couple of years before diagnosis. "About four weeks after her diagnosis, I realised she was not coping. "I asked her if she wanted to come and live with me – outlining that she would be with me to the end. "She didn't need to be asked twice, and our relationship made it a very easy move. "She also got on extremely well with my husband, who honed his cooking skills by creating special dishes for her that she could eat easily as her MND progressed, and before she had to have a feeding tube fitted. "She was a great mum – very liberal for her generation and wildly funny. "She was young-minded, fashionable, beautiful and very well-liked. "I know most people say nice things about folk when they are no longer here, but she really was popular and kind and people in our community felt her death deeply." READ MORE: Petition launched to save Disability Resource Centre in Paisley Lorraine also reflected on impact her mum had on the community. She continued: "Her funeral mass was in St Peter's Church in Glenburn, and it was standing room only in that big chapel. "That told us that we had probably underestimated her impact on the world. "We knew she affected people's lives with her big heart, compassionate personality and empathy for those who needed help, but we just weren't prepared for the outpouring of love for her. "My mum and I were so close. There was barely a day that went by without us speaking. "She was always a friend of my friends, came on nights out with us and even spent a few holidays with 'the girls'. "Her age was never an issue. My friends took to her like she was one of them and she joined in the fun – being able to adapt and act like she was 20 years younger. "I sometimes envied her staying power. "However, she could switch to 'mum' mode whenever needed, and without hesitation." Lorraine also revealed how the two became even closer after she moved in. She said: "I got to spend her final two years with her, chatting into the small hours, taking advantage of the times she was in a 'good' place, and just loving her and trying to take her fear away by occupying her mind with other things. "She loved us dearly, and we loved her more. She also had seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and had more than enough love and fun for all of them. In honour of her mum, Lorraine organised a 'Hoedown' themed fundraiser in support of the charity after being inspired during a visit to a local farm shop in a place called Barnhill Farm. It raised £34,000 for MND Scotland and the politician explained why she picked the charity. She added: "When my mum was being cared for during her illness, I realised it took a huge team to give her the attention she needed. "She often worried about any of her children getting MND and wanted us to do what we could to raise money, and awareness, for the condition. "My mum took part in several fundraising events before she passed, and also, made a video for MND Scotland to be shown at the 2010 Cornflower Ball. "She had incredible courage – but did it all in the hope that it would help someone else."
Daily Record
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Dumfries father and son raise more than £4,000 for MND Scotland through marathon challenge
Michael Cole, who has motor neurone disease, was pushed round the Edinburgh Marathon in a special sports wheelchair by son Andrew. A father and son raised more than £4,000 for charity through a marathon challenge. Michael Cole was pushed round the Edinburgh Marathon in a special sports wheelchair by son Andrew on Sunday to raise money for MND Scotland. Michael, who is originally from Dumfries, was a keen runner, swimmer and cyclist before being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in November 2022. Despite the weather, the pair completed Sunday's race in less than four hours – but more importantly raised more than £4,600 for MND Scotland. Michael, 73, said: 'The crowds were amazing, there were tens of thousands of them along much of the course. Because we were wearing MND Scotland T-shirts and our numbers had our names on them we received endless cheers. 'I felt terrible because poor Andrew was grafting away doing all the hard work, I just sat there hoping we didn't crash! 'Thankfully he was cheered on and congratulated by many hundreds of our fellow runners. 'He ran a fantastic race, which was made much more difficult because he had to be constantly vigilant to steer me around all the countless potential hazards. 'The final stretch along the straight road into Musselburgh was lined with crowds of people, all of them shouting their support for all they were worth. 'The last two miles were just a wall of sound and smiling faces so I found the highly emotionally charged last few steps of what will very likely be my final sporting event completely overwhelming.' During the race, Michael wore a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service cap as other son David is a fireman in Edinburgh. He added: 'As we approached the finish line the announcer shouted out to all and sundry that, quoting MND's default saying 'here come two runners really making time count, MND is a horrible, horrible disease'. Sunday certainly counted for my family, friends and supporters. 'Try as I might I couldn't help but be in floods of tears for virtually the whole of the last mile but the last hundred metres really nailed it. 'We finished in three hours 56 minutes and three seconds, under four hours which was our goal, and so far we've raised £4,615, not including the gift aid of well over £900. My original target was £1,000 so we're thrilled and extremely humbled that so many people were so generous.' Dumfries Running Club's Sandy Shankland and wife Linda cheered on Andrew and Michael – who now lives in Penicuik – with club members having previously supported the pair when they tackled the Great Scottish Run last year. There's still time to sponsor them at JustGiving.
The National
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Stirling festival seeks athletes for race across historic sites
Taking place for the first time on October 11 this year, William Wallace Running Festival has put out a call for 'teams of Bravehearts' from Scottish businesses to sign up for 50km and 70km relay races featuring landmarks like Stirling Castle and Wallace Monument, which form part of the festival's wider competition. Teams can fundraise for a charity of their choice or for the event's official partner, MND Scotland — an organisation that supports those who suffer with motor neurone disease, as well as their friends and family. READ MORE: Edinburgh Marathon results 2025 – see full list Festival co-organiser, Graham Coull, said: 'Relay teams are a relatively unique choice at running events and offer a fantastic opportunity for workplace teams to get together, share some camaraderie and have fun. 'The ultra events are a chance for teams of three or six runners to sign up and train together before taking part in an unforgettable experience as they race through Scotland's spectacular countryside. 'There are so many benefits to embarking on a challenge like this as a workplace team including healthier minds and bodies and the team spirit and camaraderie which develops when people come together for a common purpose.' The four racing routes for the William Wallace Running Festival are: Ultra 70km: A 70km loop of the Ochil Hills, Bannockburn, Campsie Fells, Lewis Hill, Stirling Castle, Bridge of Allan, Cockburn Reservoir, Jerah Forest, Blairlogie, Wallace Monument, and Cambuskenneth Abbey. It is open to solo runners or relay teams of three or six and includes five aid stations along the course. Ultra 50km: This race takes runners on a journey past the Ochil Hills, Bannockburn, Kings Park and Stirling Castle before continuing through the Keir Estate and Bridge of Allan to reach Cockburn Reservoir. Athletes return to Stirling Sports Village via the Wallace Monument, Cambuskenneth Abbey and the riverside path. It is for solo runners or relay teams of three or six runners and includes five aid stations. Braveheart 10km: A flat riverside route by the Wallace Monument and Ochil Hills which crosses the historic Stirling Old Bridge- site of William Wallace's 1297 victory. Wallace Warriors: A one-mile, traffic-free, flat route designed for young runners, those with accessibility needs or those who use wheelchairs. READ MORE: Bus routes disrupted across west Scotland amid Stagecoach strike Shorter races and more accessible routes are also available, including a 10km and a flat one-mile run aimed at younger athletes and participants who are wheelchair users or have other accessibility needs. Coull added: 'Not everyone will be able to, or want to, run a full 50km or 70km but running a shorter distance as part of a team is an achievable aim. 'Those who don't want to run can be part of the day by cheering on their workmates or helping as an event volunteer.' The William Wallace Running Festival was co-founded by Coull, his two sons and race director Peter Ness in a bid to fill the gap in the market for large-scale running events held in Stirling. Ness said: 'Our vision was to feature multiple race distances which trace routes with deep historical significance to Scotland's national hero William Wallace. 'There is something for everyone, whether you are an endurance runner who wants the challenge of a 70km or 50km ultra, an athlete or fun runner who enjoys a 10km or a young person ready to compete in a one-mile run." The festival website gives more information about the events and how to enter.
