Ruglonian Dougie Donnelly is among the big sporting names to kick off a major new fundraising campaign by Glasgow’s hospice.
The sports commentator and presenter, who grew up in the Royal Burgh, fronts the Go Gold for Glasgow’s Hospice campaign video, which encourages people of all ages and abilities to choose a challenge and get sponsored to raise funds for the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in the city’s Bellahouston Park.
In supporting the year-long campaign, Dougie is joined by: Martin Perry, table tennis para player; Shelly Kerr, former head coach to Scotland’s women’s football team; Bethany Kingsley-Gardiner, principal dancer at Scottish Ballet and Richie Gray from the Glasgow Warriors rugby team.
The campaign also has the backing of Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Councillor Philip Braat.
It has also drawn support from the business world, with sponsorship from EDF Energy, along with CCG (Scotland) Ltd, Slater Menswear, Hobbs Repro and Zostrom Digital.
The campaign urges people to set themselves a goal and have fun achieving it, while helping raise much-needed funds for Glasgow’s hospice so that it can continue caring for people with life-limiting and terminal illnesses.
Dougie said: “I’m delighted to be involved with Go Gold for Glasgow’s Hospice.
“The compassionate care which the hospice provides is absolutely essential for people at the end of their lives and for those who are living with a terminal diagnosis, and their families.
“I’d urge people to get involved by taking on a challenge for Glasgow’s hospice.”
The challenge could be climbing the height of a mountain on their house stairs, achieving a target of 1000 keepy-uppies in the garden with the kids, or running a virtual marathon.
In addition to helping to raise funds for the hospice, the campaign encourages people to undertake a challenge which will benefit their physical and mental wellbeing. It is ideal for individuals and for teams to compete virtually with each other.
But it doesn’t have to be a physical challenge.
People can host a virtual, sport-themed afternoon garden party or have an online gaming marathon.
Rhona Baillie, chief executive of the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, said: “We are excited to launch our new challenge campaign.
“We want as many people as possible to take part if, they can.
“It truly doesn’t matter what you do, just have fun doing it.
“Like most charities, we have been badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic in terms of our ability to run fundraising events. We rely on donations and fundraising
to continue our care for our patients – both in the hospice and in our local community.
“However, I am also aware of the impact of lockdowns and restrictions on people’s mental and physical health.
“With many of our hobbies and activities being curtailed over the past year, we wanted to be able to offer people the opportunity to have some fun in a safe and socially distanced way.”
President of the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice and the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Philip Braat, said: “The hospice truly provide a gold standard of care for people who are nearing the end of their lives.
“I have been inspired by what I have learned about the hospice and the difference they make. This campaign is so important that I have already committed to running the Great Scottish Run in 2021 for the Go Gold campaign.
“I may even take another challenge in the interim.
“I have always fancied bagging a Munro. That’s the exciting part of this campaign – it’s completely up to the individual what they do and when they do it.”
Find out more by visiting www.Go-Gold.org.uk for ideas on challenges and get inspiration.
The campaign also hopes to run some planned hospice events later in the year and people can register for these just now by clicking on their preferred event on the website.
