Brechin Rotary golf day tees up another amazing fundraising total for MND Scotland

The countdown is now on for 30 silent auction lots which will be sold this week to try and help Brechin Rotary Club repeat the feat of raising £40k for MND Scotland last year.

By Graham Brown

April 24 2023, 5:30pm

Look well, play well. Colin Murray, Steven Sutherland and Marcus Ryan on the tee for Team Soltyre. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Brechin Rotary Club is closing in on another massive fundraising total for motor neurone disease research.

The club staged their second charity golf day at the weekend.

And an online auction is set to add thousands of pounds to the total when it closes later this week.

The community response has overwhelmed Rotarians.

It comes after the club donated £40,000 to MND Scotland last year.

Team Maison Dieu Euan Spark, Hugh Dickson and Ryan Ferguson at a memorial bench to Aaron Souttar. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Remembering Aaron

There is a particular poignancy around the cause after MND claimed the life of 42-year-old Aaron Souttar last summer.

The popular figure was a Brechin Golf Club champion from a well-known sporting family.

His architect father, Jack, played for Brechin City.

And Aaron’s brothers, Harry and John, are both international footballers.

Brechin Rotary Club chaRIty golf day for MND Scotland. — Golf day Hhole 10 refreshments supplied by (from left) Diane Kelly, Jackie Williamson, Scott Kelly, Ian McFatridge and Raia Kennedy. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Ex-Dundee United kid Harry was a sensation with Australia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

John stars for Rangers, and has made an off-field name for himself close to home with childhood pal Euan Spark in their Maison Dieu Coffee Roasters business.

Outstanding support

After the success of the 2022 event the club were cautious the response might be a one-off.

But they say the community and business backing has been tremendous.

The golf day was a huge hit.

Players from Brechin City’s victorious Highland League-winning squad even managed to shake off the celebration hangover and take to the fairways.

Brechin City’s Team Chunkle Brothers Kieran Ingles, Ewan Louden, Fraser McLeod and Grady McGrath after their Highland League success at Buckie. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Brechin Golf Club captain, Rotary Club member and event organiser, Ross Allison said:

“Once again we are so grateful for the donations of auction items and raffle prizes.

“Interest in the event has exceeded our expectations for a second year.”

“We chose to continue to support MND Scotland through the event due to our close awareness of the disease and it’s impact on the local community.”

Club treasurer Scot Kelly added: “The support from individuals and the business community has been incredible.”

Getting the distance for the £10k hole-in-one prize attempt. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Variety of lots

The online auction will end on March 27.

There are more than 30 lots available.

Those include:
• Family tickets on the Warner Bros Caledonian Railway Brechin Polar Express
• VIP Hospitality tickets for Elton John concert
• Signed Andrew Robertson Liverpool shirt
• Club Europe hospitality at Ibrox
• Erling Haaland signed and framed top
• Signed Jota Celtic top
• Signed Tavernier Rangers top
• Signed Leicester tops by Vardy, Souttar and Maddison
• Golf four balls at a selection of Scottish courses – 8 in total

Anyone wanting to bid on the prizes should visit www.jumblebee.co.uk/BrechinRotaryMND2023#none

Bids close at midnight on April 27.

Photographer Steve Brown was on the fairways for the Rotary Club golf day.