Huge boost after home lost in blaze

MORE than £20,000 has been raised in two days to help a family who lost their home when fire ripped through a golf clubhouse.

The flat, above Machrihanish Golf Club, where course steward Iain McLean and his family lived, was destroyed along with the main part of the building.

No one was injured in the blaze, which saw four fire engines called to the scene just before1.30pm on Wednesday.

The building was still alight hours later and the cause of the fire is not yet known.

The close-knit commuity, near Campbeltown, Kintyre, rallied round, with money flooding in to a fundraising appeal to help the family.

Offers of help by locals also allowed the golf course and its pro shop to reopen yesterday.

A spokesman for the club, which dates back to 1876, thanked everyone for their help and said: “There has been so much support shown from members, nonmembers and local businesses. The offers of accommodation and the BY MOIRA KERR reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk support for Iain and his family have been overwhelming.

“There have also been offers of temporary office, storage and toilets facilities until the club gets facilities in place through our insurance. These are all very much appreciated.

“The only room not to be affected with fire is the office. Although there is water damage, memorabilia and records were saved, meaning about 90 per cent of the history of the club has been salvaged.”

The spokesman added: “Machrihanish Golf Club will come back better and stronger than ever before.”

Fiona Nelson, who set up an online fundraising page on the Justgiving site to help Iain and his family, said: “They lived above the club, everything is gone.

“We can only imagine how devastated they feel.

We cannot replace their precious memories but we can help them get back on their feet with the basics.”