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Fundraising News

Coming soon...
Charity X-Factor

Watch this space - photos of the "Charity X-Factor" will be appearing here soon. Proceeds from the event (being held at Shottstown Miners Welfare Club in Penicuik) are being donated to the First Responders, and some of our members will be taking to the stage!
 
Rutherford Castle Golf Club
- Captain's Day Charity Fundraiser

Kate, Kathleen & Annette

On Sunday 27th August, Carolyn, Annette, Kate and I went along to Rutherford Castle Golf Club to help Robert Cooper who is one of the Penicuik First Responders Trustees. Robert in his role as Club Captain at Rutherford Castle Golf Club chose this year to do a major charity fundraiser on behalf of our group. Carolyn did the morning session by herself, and then we three amigos turned up to help later. 

It was pouring. Never able to resist a warm dry clubhouse, we sat inside until the rain stopped. The Club Manager Derek Mitchell offered us a golf buggy and some crates of beer to distribute to the 72 competitors. No, the idea was not for us to get drunk, but rather to offer it to the golfers out on the course, ask for a donation and all monies raised would be donated to Penicuik Community First Responders. 
 

Annette was volunteered as our buggy driver, (well, she’s driven a tractor before) and Kate and I squeezed in. As we set off, we noticed that there was a notice on the windscreen that mentioned only two passengers were allowed, but we thought that this only referred to golfers. After all, we do not play golf! We had a lot of fun in that little golf buggy. At one stage, a bee joined us on our travels and as Kate fought it off, we supported her by killing ourselves laughing. We visited the various teams offering them drinks, and found many generous people there. Lots of the lads requested the kiss of life but we could see that they were breathing normally, and offered them a beer instead, promising that it would do more to improve their game. 

We found that the buggy could manage all the hills, up and downwards, even managed a tiny ditch without throwing us off. The engine did start smelling a bit hot and bothered when we accelerated but we reckoned that if it stopped working, (or burned out) we would simply find Robert and steal his buggy when he wasn’t looking. 

Bryan, met us at the end, had a shot of our new transport, (seemed impressed) and joined us for lunch along with the 72 competitors. We had lunch in a big marquee which Robert managed to secure free of charge from Midlothian Council. After lunch we watched in awe as a huge array of prizes worth in excess of £1,500 were presented by Robert and his vice-captain Ross McDonald, We also watched as donated gifts were auctioned off to golfers who were bidding up to £60 for some of the items. A percentage of the bar takings along with the team entry fees were all donated to the FIRST RESPONDERS. Roberts’s efforts resulted in the fantastic sum of £1,055 being raised. Well-done Robert. 

We had a very nice day at Rutherford Castle Golf Club and would like to thank Robert, Rutherford Castle Golf Club members, visitors and staff for their kind generosity.  

The golf buggy nearly came back to Penicuik with us but it wouldn’t fit into Annette’s car boot, pity really, because with a little work and a blue flashing light on top, it would have made a great First Responder vehicle. Never mind, we will bring a van next time! 

Kathleen Spencer, Penicuik First Responder