A trio of former Angus pupils devastated by the suicide of a close friend have joined together for a marathon golf challenge to help those battling cancer.
“The Friocks” – Brent Lawson, Mark Beatt and Greg Peterson – are on course for an epic four rounds of golf in one day.
Their exploits conquering 72 holes over 24 miles are part of the Macmillan Cancer Support Longest Day Golf Challenge.
The threesome, who grew up in Friockheim and went to school together, will tee off shortly after 4am on Friday at Canmore Golf Club – Mark’s local course in Dunfermline.
Brent, 42, who still lives in the Angus village and who golfs at Brechin with Greg, said: “We lost a close friend not long ago, unfortunately he took his own life.
“This raised a real concern that we need to physically meet up and stop reliance on social media or texts.
“Since then we regularly get together.
“We have all known someone, be it friend or family, affected by cancer.”
Brent, a DJ and maintenance planner for the oil industry, came up with the idea of the golf challenge whilst watching “SAS – are you tough enough”, the television series which raises money for cancer charity.
He continued: “I was in my living room with my two girls and my wife, at each break the guys came on and mentioned how one in every two of us will be affected by cancer.
“That really hit home hard at that point.
“It was just by chance searching Facebook I found the Longest Day golf challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support.
“Everything just felt like it was right between us getting together again, playing golf and the thought that something will likely affect ourselves at some point.”
Although the three are up for the challenge, Brent and Mark suffer with back problems and Greg lives with diabetes, but they are determined to do something to help.
They have set themselves fundraising target of £2,000 and, to date, have raised £640.
Brent continued: “This is in remembrance of all our friends and families who have had to deal with cancer.
“We will tee off at first light, with an expectation of three to three and a half hours per round which we expect will extend as each round passes.
“It’s not going to be easy, but it’ll definitely be worthwhile.
“We hope to raise money to help people living with cancer get the physical, emotional and financial support they need.”
The trio have set up a Just-Giving page for donations which can be accessed via
https://longestdaygolf.macmillan.org.uk/Team/thefriocks
