Family in full swing to honour Gordon’s memory

IAN BUNTING

Thirteen years after his sudden death from a heart attack, Gordon Smith’s family and friends paid tribute to his memory during their 13th annual “Gordon’s Am Am Golf Day”.

Organised by Gordon’s brother Graham, the event celebrated Monklands man Gordon’s life – and collected vital cash for British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland’s ongoing effort to fund lifesaving research.

Gordon was aged just 48 when he passed away while playing golf at Drumpellier Golf Club.

To date, the Smith family have raised a remarkable total of more than £71,000 for BHF Scotland, and provided a defibrillator for the golf club.

This year’s tournament alone raised £ 5315, with a further £ 1624 collected when Graham took the plunge in a sponsored bungee jump.

Gordon’s son Andrew said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have raised so much; and very grateful for all the work that everyone has put in.

“We want to pay tribute to Graham for driving all this forward; it’s amazing to think that the money raised in dad’s memory will fund research to help keep other families together, especially as it’s all made possible through people having a good time and celebrating his life.”

Graham’s dedication towards helping others has been recognised after he was shortlisted in the inspiration hero heart accolade in this year’s BHF Heart Hero Awards.

This category recognises “exceptional people who’ve shown courage and a fearless determination to succeed at everything they do for the charity”.

The award winners will be announced during a plush ceremony in London next month.

Local BHF Scotland fundraising manager, Katie Yates, commented: “Our heartfelt thanks go to the Smith family and their friends for raising such a fantastic sum of money for BHF Scotland, because sadly Gordon’s story is all too common.

“Around 700,000 people in Scotland are living with heart and circulatory diseases and nearly 50 people a day die from these conditions.

“We want to change this but can only continue our life-saving research with the support of the public.

“We were delighted with Graham’s well-deserved shortlisting for our Heart Hero Awards and wish him all the best for the night; but he’s already a winner in our eyes.”

To find out further details about fundraising for BHF Scotland, register for a free fundraising pack at www.bhf. org.uk/fundraising