New Largs golf captain auctions off his parking spot for leading cancer charity
THE new captain of Largs Golf Club has given a leading cancer charity a boost... by auctioning off the parking space that comes with the role.
Martin Phillips was appointed to the prestigious role in March, after 29 years as a member.
But the 63-year-old Largs native doesn’t drive - except with his shots off the tee, of course - and so decided to auction off the right to use his dedicated parking space next to the clubhouse.
All the proceeds from the winning bid will go to the Maggie’s charity, which operates a network of drop-in centres across the UK to help anyone affected by cancer.
Maggie’s is a charity close to Martin’s heart; he raised £1,575 for the charity’s Glasgow centre by completing the Edinburgh
Kiltwalk last year, and has also visited the facility in the grounds of Gartnavel Hospital to learn about the support they offer to people with cancer and their loved ones.
“It was a lot cosier and homely that I had expected,” he said, “and it was humbling to be shown around and listening to visitors’ stories.”
Looking back on his Kiltwalk experience last year, Martin added: “Meeting fellow Maggie’s walkers at the start line and the camaraderie of my fellow walkers was what made it such and enjoyable experience.”
The parking space auction drew to a close on May 3...but it isn’t the only way Martin is giving Maggie’s a helping hand during his captaincy.
He has also set up a ‘bunker fine’ on the 18th hole, with players whose shot hits the sand having to make a donation to Maggie’s in the clubhouse after completing their round.
Martin said: “I had attended a few Maggie’s charity events and was so impressed with what Maggie’s did for patients and their families that I felt that I wanted to help raise funds for such a worthwhile cause.”
Kerry Craig, centre head of Maggie’s Glasgow, said: “We are delighted to be supported by Martin and that Largs Golf Course have chosen us as their charity of the year.
“We are receiving many visitors to the centre from the west coast and the isles and are grateful for this opportunity to raise funds and awareness in this area.”
Most of the Maggie’s charity’s funding is from voluntary donations. To find out more about Maggie’s Glasgow please contact the centre at glasgow@ maggies.org or get in touch on 0141 330 9792.
You can also find out more about the charity, which was set up by Edinburgh resident Maggie Keswick Jencks after she was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time.
The first Maggie’s Centre, in Edinburgh, opened in 1996, shortly after Maggie died at the age of 55.
The Glasgow centre opened in 2002, while the charity now also operates facilities in Dundee, the Highlands, Fife. London, Cheltenham, Nottingham, Swansea, Cambriege, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Oxford, Lanarkshire, Manchester, Oldham, the Forth Valley, Cardiff, Leeds, Southampton and the Wirral - as well as in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Barcelona.