Church N ews Tom sets sights on triathlon triumph

Girvan South will hold its summer fete on June 3.

A fire crew will be outside the hall from 1pm on the Saturday afternoon and there will be a stall selling hotdogs, sliced sausage rolls and drinks. Visitors can also look forward to a wellie tossing competition.

Councillor Alec Clark is due to open the fete.

In the small hall there will be teas with pancakes, cakes and scones, as well as stalls selling plants, home baking, books, crafts and toys. Holy Trinity offers Play Church on Sundays, May 28, June 4 and June 18. Holy Trinity Mothers’ Union members are on a mission to send underwear to women and girls in Africa.

They are collecting bras and underpants as part of the Smalls for All project.

The church newsletter said women wearing underwear are less likely to be attacked by men and are treated with more respect.

It is reported that girls who wear pants attend school more regularly.

The big- hearted ladies collect and deliver items to the Smalls for All charity for transportation to Africa. To find out more contact Mary McCorquindale or another member of the Mothers’ Union branch at Holy Trinity in Ayr. The Troon Old golf tourney will take place on Thursday, June 22.

It will run as a Texas scramble team event. Tee times are reserved from 3.30pm to 5pm. Entry forms are available online at www. troonold. org. uk/ golf- tourney. The Reverend Tom Montgomery is gearing up to tackle a triathlon.

The Troon St Ninian’s minister will undertake the challenge for two charities: Jo Walters Trust and Parkinson’s UK.

The 58- year- old felt he had to take action after two of his friends were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

He said: “I got a fright as I thought ‘ that could be me.’ Things start to go wrong with your health. You think you are bulletproof until you reach 55.

“I thought to myself: ‘ I must do something.’”

A group of women who bravely swam from Arran to Troon for the Jo Walters Trust also inspired him.

He said: “I was so impressed with the group of people, including members of the congregation. I decided to do something also.”

He added jokingly: “I made the mistake of announcing it publicly.”

A 400 metre swim, 10 mile bike ride and two mile run are on the agenda for the triathlon.

No stranger to endurance events, he has completed a marathon and a 250 mile cycle ride in Israel. He worries his swimming stroke is the weakest link.

He said: “I am older now and have not been as consistent with the training as I should have been. I only started swimming in earnest in the last few weeks. I’m really slow and naturally clumsy.

“I am quite excited about this. It is the first time I have done something like this for a long time.”

The Jo Walters Trust gives opportunities to young people in education.

Teacher Joanna Walters, who has family links to Troon, was killed in a cycling accident in Brighton

Rev Montgomery is keen to support the charity’s work with young people as he is a school chaplain.

His triathlon will take place on June 4 in Stirling.

Anyone who wants to support the fundraising can get in touch through the church.