A big-hearted farming family staged a charity open day hoping to raise £500 ... and romped home with £12,000.
Stuart Burgess opened his family farm up to visitors in a bid to raise cash for Parkinson’s sufferers like his dad, Ian.
Backed by his family, including mum Alison, wife Angie, brother Ewan and sister Mairi Wylie, he posted details of the event online then watched it grow arms and legs.
Local businesses got behind the venture and donated high-end prizes for a spectacular auction at Maryfield Farm, New Abbey - which raised almost £4,000 alone.
And the family were left “gobsmacked” when they realised the total had reached £12,000.
Farmers, locals and business owners joined forces to make the fun day - which featured raffle prizes for competitions, face painting and home-baking - a roaring success.
Delighted Stuart said: “We couldn’t believe it. We are absolutely astounded. One thing about the farming community is that they really rally for things like this and they helped out massively.
“Local businesses were amazing and the prizes they donated were brilliant.
“We have everything from stays in holiday cottages - we have four of those, you could basically have a break anywhere from Stirling to Springholm - and we even had £150 worth of beauty treatments donated”.
One generous donor even provided a more niche prize of a frozen embryo from coveted Aberdeen Angus stock.
Added Stuart: “When I first decided to do it and posted it on Facebook, you had to put a target. So I put in £1,000.
“My mum and wife kind of looked at me - so I changed it to £500.
“I can’t believe how generous people have been.”
