Fundraising Events in Aberdeen.

Been a busy week up in Aberdeen, looking forward to spending a few days at home in Dunning with my kids. Drove up on Thursday to the Malmaison with family for a very busy day! First stop was a few meetings at the hotel with press and potential donors for the charity. Carrying the Ryder Cup (carefully) i headed to Deeside Golf club where i had a question and answer session with the juniors. Was very impressed with the depth of the questions they asked, good luck to all the juniors I met.

Later that evening the Malmaison hosted a wonderful evening in aid of “Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal.” I had great time meeting new people and catching up with friends however the Ryder Cup seemed to steal the limelight! Huge thank you again to all the staff at the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin group. Especially Andy, the hotel manager whose support is quite incredible. It was very touching to hear that the bar staff had donated their tips towards the charity. Thanks again.

Friday morning we headed to John Clarks BMW dealership in Aberdeen, who have named Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal as their dedicated charity. Had the privilege of meeting Chris Clark and Victoria Reid, brother and sister team behind the partnership with Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal. Again thank you.

And a huge thank you to Mitchells Milk for spreading awareness of Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal across Deeside to bring a much needed Maggie’s Centre to Aberdeen.

Colin

Comments (0)

2 ways in 8 days – Review

21-29 October 2010 – ‘It started in Inverness. 13 members of staff from Hotel du Vin and Malmaison including General Managers, members of the sales team, Regional Directors, the Executive Chef and the Chief Executive arrived on Thursday 21st Oct and went straight to the Maggie’s Centre at Raigmore Hospital, where the walkers met Terry Butcher and got the chance to meet people that use the Centre. It was very moving to hear how Maggie’s has helped people come to terms with their diagnosis and have the best possible life with, through and beyond treatment. It also helped the walkers understand how their efforts would directly help people affected by cancer.

Everyone started the first day buoyant and full of energy. We started off at Tiso’s Outdoor Centre, who had kindly donated fantastic Berghaus jackets/waterproof trousers/hats and gloves and met Terry Butcher who walked the first few miles with us before going to training at Inverness Caley Thistle, where he is Manager. The weather at the start of the Great Glen Way was misty and intermittently wet. As the days progressed, the weather turned very cold – on one day the walkers were walking in temperatures of -6. By the time they got to Fort William, four of the walkers were taken to A&E for various ailments including infected blisters, torn ligaments etc. The chef from Hotel du Vin in Edinburgh had to leave on crutches, but still the rest continued onto the West Highland Way.

By the final day, 29th Oct, people were exhausted and in pain. But they were all determined to walk that last day. It pouring rain, the day started up the dreaded Connic Hill and we walked 12 miles to Glengoyne Distillery, who generously hosted the group. We were given a great lunch, which Cameron House had kindly prepared for us and met some other walkers – Chris Cusiter, Captain of the Scotland Rugby Team, Al Kellock – also a Scotland Rugby International, Rob Maclean – Scottish Sports presenter, Iain Faulkner the artist who has been such a support to EMF and who Colin commissioned to paint the Ryder Cup team. Last but not least, we were delighted that Eve Montgomerie and Colin’s two nephews Alastair and Fergus also came to meet us.

By the time we left Glengoyne, everyone’s spirits were high – we were almost there. As we neared Milngavie in Glasgow – the end f the West Highland Way – we heard the sound of a piper and Walter Smith, Ally McCoist, Tom Boyd and James Forrest came to meet us and walk the last half mile to the end point. It was great to have the Old Firm united to welcome us back.

2 ways in 8 days was a tremendous achievement. Not only for the physical challenge that the walkers undertook – 170 miles on 8 days over some of the most inhospitable terrain in the UK in very testing weather conditions – but also for the amount of money that was raised by everyone taking part. The money raised will pay for a psychologist for the first Centres funded by the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation for a year. That is c.8,000 sessions to support people affected by cancer. Alternatively, the money could fund an art therapist, a tai chi teacher and a nutritionist in four Centres for a year. It is amazing how many people the walkers from Hotel do Vin and Malmaison will help through 2 ways in 8 days. As Colin said, “I am overwhelmed by the effort that these 13 intrepid walkers from Hotel du Vin and Malmaison have made in walking 166 miles in 8 days to raise money for the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation. I have followed their progress and I know that it has been really challenging at times, but they should all be very proud of their achievement and the help that they have given to people affected by cancer.”

by Lucinda Rivers, Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation.

Comments (0)

HOTEL DU VIN AND MALMAISON TO WALK ‘2 WAYS IN 8 DAYS’

2010 Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie and staff from Hotel du Vin and Malmaison are today (Friday 22 October) setting off to walk ‘2 ways in 8 days’. Braving the elements, the team will be walking both the Great Glen Way and West Highland Way to raise funds for the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation (EMF).

Established by the Scots golfer in memory of his late mother, The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation is Hotel du Vin and Malmaison Group’s official charity in Scotland. The hotel group aims to double the amount raised to date, taking the total to £200,000, with funds going towards the creation of two new Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres in Lanarkshire and Aberdeen.

Terry Butcher, manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, will join the Hotel du Vin and Malmaison team, which will be made up of General Managers, Regional Directors and CEO Robert Cook, amongst other staff. The walkers will spend eight days walking the 73 miles of the Great Glen Way, from Inverness to Fort William, followed by the 93 mile West Highland Way, from Fort William. The team will finish their grueling challenge in Milngavie on Friday 29 October.

Tiso’s, the outdoor experience specialists, have sponsored ‘2 Ways in 8 Days’ by providing all the walkers kit, including jackets and trousers. Members of Tiso’s staff will be joining the walkers on various parts of the walk.

Robert Cook, CEO, Hotel du Vin and Malmaison, commented: “We have set ourselves a significant challenge with two great walks, back to back, totaling 166 miles in eight days – it is not going to be easy. We are determined to succeed and hit our target of £200,000k. Staff across our Scotland, England and Northern Ireland based hotels have shown real commitment and dedication, agreeing to take the challenge and give up annual leave to do so, in order to support Colin in this ambitious and important project.”

Colin Montgomerie, commented: “This has been a very busy month for me and leading the European team to victory in the 2010 Ryder Cup was undoubtedly the proudest moment of my professional career. The success of the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation over the past year has also given me great pride, but we simply could not have achieved what we have without the support and commitment of Robert Cook and the staff of Hotel du Vin and Malmaison.

“My family and I have experienced the devastation that a cancer diagnosis can cause but when my mother was diagnosed with the disease, we had no one to talk to and no one support us. No one affected by cancer should have to suffer alone and I am so grateful to everyone who is selflessly giving up the next eight days to raise money to support this aim. I am looking forward to joining Robert and his colleagues today to walk the first leg with them.”

Terry Butcher said: “I am delighted to be walking the first few hours with this intrepid group from Hotel du Vin and Malmaison, seeing them off from the City that I now call home. Last night I visited the Maggie’s Centre at Raigmore Hospital and I was so impressed with the work they are doing to support people with cancer and I am happy to support Colin in his aim to build two more Maggie’s Centres. Like many people, I was glued to the television earlier this month, so I am hoping he will re-live some of his experiences when he won the Ryder Cup during our walk together this morning.”

Comments (0)

Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal Aberdeen.

Dear Friends

Welcome to the first campaign newsletter for Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal Aberdeen. For those who do not know, I lost my mother to cancer in 1991. At this incredibly difficult time I would have liked to have been able to draw upon the support of experienced professionals who knew what my family were going through. In memory of my mother I set up the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation which I am delighted to say is now working closely with Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres to provide the programme of support that I would have so loved to have had back then. This month has been a period of real progress and the campaign will deliver a brand new centre to the people of Aberdeen.

EMF and P&J campaign to bring a Maggie’s Centre to Aberdeen

This month saw the launch of our campaign to bring a Maggie’s Centre to Aberdeen (pictured below), to be known as Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal. This is a joint-fundraising appeal between The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation, Maggie’s Centres and The Press and Journal. Having a Maggie’s in Aberdeen will mean that there will now be centres in every major Scottish city.

I am determined to help Maggie’s increase their network of support. Having a centre in Aberdeen, in addition to the one we are already working towards in Lanarkshire, will be a source of tremendous support to people living with cancer in the area. No one with cancer should have to suffer alone and by making this campaign a success we will be moving closer to that goal.

EMF and P&J campaign to bring a Maggie’s Centre to Aberdeen

Why are we working so hard to raise funds?

Maggie’s Centres are inspiring places and you meet some truly wonderful people there when you visit. One gentleman, Gordon Kirk, who visits Maggie’s Dundee is an example of the way visitors remain so positive despite the really difficult challenges they face:

Gordon said: ‘I often talk about the ‘joy of cancer’. It sounds strange but what I mean by that is that having cancer has brought me certain things. When I was diagnosed I had to stop working for a while. The upside of this is that it afforded me a lot of time to spend with my six-week old daughter – time I would never have had otherwise. It has also influenced my career choices – I now work in sports science and can help others with their health and well-being, something I may not have considered doing before my diagnosis.’

Comments (0)

Monty leads fundraising drive for a new Maggie’s cancer centre

THE charity set up by Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie in memory of his mother is to spearhead a fundraising drive to build a Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre for families affected by cancer across the north-east of Scotland.

Montgomerie established the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation (EMF) in memory of his mother,who died of lung cancer in 1991.

And it was revealed yesterday that the foundation has appointed a local board to raise the £3 million needed to open the new Maggie’s Centre in the grounds of NHS Grampian’s Foresterhill hospitals complex in Aberdeen.

The Scottish golfer, who has already raised the funds needed to build a Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre at Monklands Hospital in Lanarkshire, said the new centre in Aberdeen would create a lasting and valuable legacy in his mother’s name.

“As soon as I walked into a Maggie’s Centre I knew that their support would have made a major difference to my family when we were coping with my mother’s illness,” Montgomerie said.

“I am determined to work with Maggie’s to ensure that people living with cancer no longer have to suffer alone.”

The appeal committee is being chaired by Colin Welsh, the Aberdeen-based chief executive of the international corporate finance division of energy investment bank Simmons and Company.

Mr Welsh, who has had first hand experience of being diagnosed with cancer, said: “The service that Maggie’s provides to cancer sufferers and their families is both invaluable and unique. Aberdeen is the only city in Scotland not to have a Maggie’s Centre, and we aim to put that right.”

He added: “Maggie’s Aberdeen will be based on the grounds of Foresterhill Hospital and will offer support to the thousands of people affected by cancer in the region, as well as their family and friends.”

Laura Lee, the chief executive of Maggie’s, praised the support of Montgomerie’s foundation. She said: “It is truly wonderful that, through the support of EMF,we will now have a Maggie’s centre in every major city in Scotland, leading theway for the rest of the UK and beyond.”

Richard Carey, the chief executive of NHS Grampian explained: “This new centre will complement the comprehensive treatment and support services currently in the region.

Maggie’s centres work alongside the NHS and offer professional, evidence-based, emotional, practical and psychological support to everyone facing cancer. This centre will make a great difference to people across the North-east.”

The Monklands Maggie’s Centre was the first project to be funded by the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation.

A spokeswoman for Maggie’s said: “The inaugural Maggie’s Centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996. There are now six permanent centres, including Glasgow, Dundee, Fife, Highlands and London – with plans to build a further seven centres in the next two years: Oxford, Cotswolds, Swansea, Newcastle, Nottingham, Lanarkshire and Aberdeen.”

She added: “Maggie’s Centres offer free-of-charge emotional support and practical advice to anyone affected by any kind of cancer.

“The programme of support includes benefits advice, support group and one-to-one sessions with psychologists, nutrition advice, a library of information and cancer support specialists on hand to answer questions, relaxation techniques, courses of living with cancer, classes for carers and much more.”

by FRANK URQUHART, The Scotsman

Comments (0)

Colin Montgomerie launches ‘Monty’s Monthly Medal ’

Win the chance to go to Ryder Cup practice session and opening ceremony
on 30th September – The day before the Ryder Cup

Colin Montgomerie, the 2010 Ryder Cup captain, today announced a new fundraising drive for the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation in partnership with the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, that will see him write to every golf club in the UK, inviting them to turn one of their monthly medals between now and September into a Monty’s Monthly Medal.

With prizes that many golfers would dream of; including the chance to attend the practice session and Opening ceremony of the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor Resort in the Captain’s hospitality on 30th September, the day before the big event. In addition, Colin has pledged to visit any winning club in the country for a half day to coach the junior section. Monty’s Monthly Medal is sure to have people teeing off for to support people affected by cancer around the country.

Colin said: “I established the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation to support people with cancer after my mother died of the disease. I was determined to help people in the same situation and the first time I walked into a Maggie’s Centre I immediately thought ‘what a difference this place would have made to my Mum’. This is why I am working with the organisation to build two Centres. I have spoken with many people who visit Maggie’s and they have told me about the unique mix of practical, emotional and psychological support they receive and I know what a difference that makes to people living with cancer”.

Colin added: “Golf has been good to me and I am delighted that I can now give something back by supporting those affected by the disease. 1 in 3 people are affected by cancer and Maggie’s can help these people and their families and I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in Monty’s Monthly Medals to raise money for Maggie’s across the UK.”

Colin continued: “With Monty’s Monthly Medal there is no change to the existing format of the Medals, all I ask is golf clubs consider allocating one of their monthly medals to the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation and Maggie’s. I’m delighted that Dunning Golf Club, my local club, is the first to sign up online at www.maggiescentres/monty where you can see your club on the Monty’s Monthly Medal leaderboard.”

Sandy Jones, CEO for the Professional Golf Association, who are endorsing the project said: “The chance to watch a Ryder Cup practice session, the day before the tournament begins is a truly outstanding prize. I hope that golf clubs across the UK will take part in Monty’s Monthly Medals to assist Colin in fundraising for a cause that, I know, is very close to his heart. Together we can all make a difference to people affected by cancer.”
Laura Lee, CEO for Maggie’s, said: “The support from Colin and the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation means an incredible amount to Maggie’s. Monty’s Monthly Medal will increase awareness about Maggie’s throughout the UK and help to raise funds that will allow us to help even more people to live with, through and beyond cancer. I wish everyone all the best for their medal competitions.”

For further information about Monty’s Monthly Medals visit www.maggiescentres/monty or www.elizabethmontgomerie.org or call 0300 1231801 or email monty@maggiescentres.org

ENDS

For further information on the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation contact Lucinda Rivers on 07789 434664 or email lucinda@elizabethmontgomerie.org

For further media information on Maggie’s Centres contact Murray Easton on 0141 341 5681 or 07825 312 791 or email murray.easton@maggiescentres.org

Notes to Editor

• The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation and Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres are working together to support people living with cancer.

• The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation, a charity registered in Scotland, was founded in 2007 by Colin and his family to provide practical and emotional support for people affected by cancer

• The first projects to be funded by the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation are two Elizabeth Montgomerie Buildings in Lanarkshire and Aberdeen, with Maggies

• There are currently six Maggie’s Centres across the UK – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Highlands, Fife and London. There are three Interim Centres – Oxford, South West Wales and Lanarkshire

• Centres are planned for the sites of the three interim Centres and in Cotswolds (opening in October 2010 at Cheltenham General Hospital), North East (Newcastle), Nottingham, and a second centre in Glasgow

• Colin Montgomerie, via the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation set up in memory of his mum, has raised funds to build the centre in Lanarkshire and has now committed to raising funds to build a centre in Aberdeen

• Monty’s Monthly Medals aims to raise £xx,xxx as well as raising awareness for Maggie’s Centres and the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation

• Maggie’s programme of support empowers people to live with, through and beyond cancer

• Maggie’s Centres are free to visit, no appointment is necessary and they are for anyone affected by any type of cancer as well as their family and friends

• Some of the worlds leading architects have designed Maggie’s Centres, including Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Lord Richard Rogers and Rem Koolhaus

• In 2009 Maggie’s Centres across the UK received over 78,000 visits

• Maggie’s model of support has been so successful that it is being taken forward in Hong Kong, Barcelona and Scandinavia

• It costs an average of £350,000 per year to run a Maggie’s Centre

Comments (0)

2010 Great Edinburgh Run – Thank You

We would like to thank everybody who supported the EMF in the 2010 Great Edinburgh Run. Over 10,000 runners of all ages took part in the run and The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation was one of the featured charities and over 60 people ran 10k, the Junior or Mini run in aid of the Foundation including Scott Hastings. Many people ran in Monty wigs! We hope to have raised almost £5,000 from the sponsorship. The Foundation was featured extensively in the Channel 5 live coverage and in a one hour special on BBC Scotland. Click here to see event details >>

Comments (0)

Edinburgh Runners Pitch In to Raise Funds for Ryder Cup Captain’s Charity

Bupa Great Edinburgh Run

Scottish golf legend Colin Montgomerie today (Friday 12 March) called on his supporters to take part in this year’s Bupa Great Edinburgh Run in aid of his cancer charity, the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation.

Colin, who will captain the European team at the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in October, was joined by members of staff from Edinburgh Leisure – who manage the Braids Hill Golf Course – as they surveyed the route of the 10k event.

Euan McIntyre, Kenny Craigie and Allison Brodie are among the first of Monty’s fans to sign up for the run – held on Sunday 2 May – in a bid to raise money for the Foundation.

Established in 2007 in memory of Colin’s late mother who died of cancer, The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation aims to raise funds to provide practical and emotional support to people and their families affected by the disease.

The hotel group Malmaison and Hotel du Vin have already raised £100,000 for the Foundation through walking the gruelling West Highland Way and Colin wants to encourage as many people as possible to take part in the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run for his Foundation.

He said: “I’ve been genuinely touched by the support we have had in our bid to raise over £2 million to build the Elizabeth Montgomerie Building in Lanarkshire, an area with some of the highest cancer rates in Europe.

“We still have a long way to go, so we would appreciate the support of all the runners who could take part in the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run in aid of the Foundation. It’s a magnificent course in one of the great cities of the world and hopefully next year, when I’m less busy on the golf course, I will be able to attend myself.

David Hart, communications director at Bupa Great Edinburgh Run organiser Nova International, said: “I’d like to wish Colin and his supporters every success with their fundraising efforts. I’m told the Foundation runners will be wearing blonde wigs in homage to Colin, so they’re bound to inject some colour and fun into race day.

“Every year, our runners raise more than £28m for good causes. I know that everyone taking part in this year’s Edinburgh Run will do so with Colin’s best wishes and we’d like to thank him for that.”

The Foundation is currently working with Edinburgh-based Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres on the construction of the new Elizabeth Montgomerie Building at Monklands Hospital, Lanarkshire.

Paul Bush OBE, chief operating officer at EventScotland, the national events agency, said: “Every year millions of runners take part in mass participation events across Scotland and raise thousands of pounds for charity. This is just one of the ways in which mass participation events like the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run give back to the communities which host them. The Bupa Great Edinburgh Run is one of the highlights in Scotland’s events calendar and inspires runners from all over the UK to train and take part in a race which showcases Edinburgh’s iconic landscape and enthusiastic crowds.”

Councillor Steve Cardownie, festivals and events champion for the City of Edinburgh, added: “The Great Edinburgh Run is a fantastic event. There will be thousands of runners taking part in aid of a wide range of worthwhile causes, or simply just for the challenge of it. I’m sure there are few other races anywhere in the world which can boast as stunning a location; with Edinburgh’s spectacular backdrop, runners and spectators are in for a thrilling day out!”

For further information on the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation – including details of how to donate to the charity – visit www.elizabethmontgomeriefoundation.org

To register for the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run, visit www.greatrun.org

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The Bupa Great Edinburgh Run will be held on Sunday 2 May, starting and finishing in Holyrood Park. Entrants must be 15 years and over.

• The event will be broadcast live on Channel 5.

• Mini and Junior Edinburgh Runs will also take place on Sunday 2 May and are open to children aged 3-8 and young people between the ages of 9 and 14 respectively.

Issued by:
Ross Nisbet / Alison Downs
3×1 Public Relations
0141 221 0707
rnisbet@3×1.com / adowns@3×1.com

For more information on the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation, contact Lucinda Rivers on 07789 434664

Nova International
The Bupa Great Edinburgh Run 2010 is brought to you by event organisers Nova International and is sponsored by Bupa.
Nova International, headed by Olympic Medallist Brendan Foster is one of the UK’s leading event management and sports marketing agencies. The company’s current brand portfolio also includes some of the biggest running events in the world all based on the Great North Run, the world’s biggest event with over 54,000 entries.
Nova International was established in 1988 and has a strong sporting pedigree. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Nova have established themselves as a market leader in the world of sports marketing and event management. For more information please visit www.greatrun.org.

Bupa
Bupa is the UK market leader in health and care with a strong international presence. Established in 1947, it has over 10 million customers in almost 200 countries and over 49,000 employees. Its main interests are health insurance, care homes for older people and young disabled, health assessments, workplace health and childcare services. Bupa is a company limited by guarantee and does not have a share capital. As a result, it can focus on its customers, helping them to live longer, healthier lives and can reinvest all of its profits to do this – this is the dividend that Bupa provides. Furthermore, through Community Connections Bupa encourages its employees to play an active role within its local communities. The Bupa Foundation is an independent charity which funds medical research. Bupa Giving was established to mark the group’s 60th anniversary in 2007 and supports the development of healthcare services and those who provide them.

City of Edinburgh Council
This event is part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Activity programme, which promotes sport and physical activity events throughout the city. The Bupa Great Edinburgh Run is a great example of an event which helps the people of Edinburgh to get active!
www.eventsedinburgh.org.uk. Edinburgh’s sporting calendar for 2010 is shaping up to be truly exhilarating, with four major world events taking place in September alone (the World Universities Hockey Championships, the World Duathlon Championships, the World Youth Climbing Championships and the Archery World Cup Finals).

EventScotland
EventScotland, the national events agency, was established in 2002 with the aim of strengthening and promoting Scotland’s events industry. EventScotland does this by attracting, generating and sustaining a portfolio of world class events in Scotland.
In 2009, EventScotland launched the new national events strategy which will lead Scotland’s events industry into and beyond 2020.
The national events strategy, Scotland: The Perfect Stage, outlines a clear mission and vision to further establish Scotland as a world leading event destination, to grow the industry and the expertise within it and to deliver events which provide impact and international profile for Scotland.
EventScotland offers funding through two programmes: the National Programme which funds events which drive domestic tourism and the International Programme which funds events which raise the profile of Scotland on an international stage and generate economic impact.

Bupa Great Edinburgh Run

Comments (0)

2009 – Review of the Year

2009 has been a momentous year for the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation. As we approach the first year anniversary of the Foundation in February, we would like to reflect on the past year.

When we started the Foundation, we had no idea what the response was going to be. We have met so many amazing people who have encouraged us, donated to us, told us their stories and all of these people have made us more committed to reaching our goal of raising £3m to support people affected by cancer.

Maggie’s – We have now worked with Maggie’s for almost a year and we have spent a lot of time in the Centres in Dundee, Edinburgh and at the interim service in Lanarkshire where we will build the Elizabeth Montgomerie Building. The dedication of the staff at Maggie’s and the positive work they do with people affected by cancer is humbling and we are so pleased to be working with them. One person who we met at Maggie’s in Dundee told us his story and although he has sadly died now, ‘C’ was one of the reasons that we decided to support Maggie’s. He explained how the staff had supported him and his family through the terminal diagnosis that he had received, how they had helped him, his wife and young children come to terms with his diagnosis. They also helped him get his finances in order so that his family would be financially stable. The Elizabeth Montgomerie Building will be a legacy to people like ‘C’ who showed us how Maggie’s can helps and supports people through this dreadful disease.

Hotel du Vin/Malmaison – The hotel group in Scotland have been our biggest supporters to date. Their enthusiasm, commitment and encouragement have been very important to us moving forward. Again we are so grateful for everything they have done; from raising money through the discretionary £1 on every bill through to the magnificent effort of 30 staff completing the West Highland Way for us in November. Hotel du Vin/Malmaison have raised over £100,000 for us this year, which is an amazing effort. Thank you to Robert, Pauric and all the staff that have made this partnership such a success. The Daily Record/Sunday Mail have also helped us so much to raise the profile of the charity and this Christmas they have launched a Christmas Appeal to generate further income for the Foundation. Annie Brown has written a number of great articles throughout the year, many of which are on this site. Annie has spent a lot of time with us at Maggie’s , walking the West Highland Way etc and we are grateful to her and the editor Bruce Waddell for their support.

In August, Diageo and Gleneagles chose the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation as the beneficiary of the Johnnie Walker Championships. This was a very successful partnership and over 30 volunteers on the course during the event collecting money and we hosted a reception on the Saturday night. We raised almost £50,000 during the event and the support of all the volunteers, Graeme Marchbank, Patrick Elsmie and their team was invaluable.

There have been so many other people that we have met who have helped us this year and we are grateful to all of them. Nicola Mathieson ran the Glasgow 10k for the Foundation, Opening More doors gave us a very generous donation and a number of golf clubs including Swanston and Dunning Ladies Section have contributed to the Foundation. Mike Holland and Oil Aid have been a continual support and we look forward to working with them again next year.

We have some very exciting plans next year. In February, we will celebrate our first year anniversary with an announcement about the Foundation and in March we will be hosting an event in Monaco. Next year will be a busy one for Colin and the Foundation but we are very excited about our plans and are confident that we will be well on our way to meeting our target. We recently filmed a DVD and Colin said that ‘If he could help one person affected by cancer to receive the support that he did not receive, then this would be his greatest achievement ever.’ We hope to be able to support as many people as possible next year and in the future.

Thank you all for you continued support, Lucinda Rivers – Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation.

Comments (0)

West Highland Way Day Five: Crossing the finishing line…

I’m pleased to report that Scottish rugby legend Scott Hastings and staff from Hotel du Vin and Malmaison completed the West Highland at Fort William today, in support of The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation.

To give you the background Colin Montgomerie, who walked the first leg with the team, established the charity in memory of his late mother. The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation has been chosen as Hotel du Vin and Malmaison Group’s official charity in Scotland for 2009 and 2010 and the West Highland Way activity hopes to raise £100,000 for the cause.

Scottish football manager George Burley and rugby hero, Gavin Hastings OBE joined the Hotel du Vin and Malmaison team, made up of General Managers, Regional Directors and the CEO amongst other staff, for the five days walking the gruelling 94 miles long West Highland Way. For the length of 25 golf courses, they walked along the mountains of Scotland from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William since last Monday.

Robert Cook, CEO, Hotel du Vin and Malmaison, commented: “Staff across our Scotland, England and Northern Ireland based hotels have shown real commitment in supporting Colin in this ambitious and important project and by walking the West Highland Way we are aiming to raise a further £100,000. Together with Colin, Gavin, Scott and George, the team is immensely proud of what we have achieved.”

Colin Montgomerie, added: “Since the launch of the Foundation, we have raised a considerable amount of money to help cancer patients and their families who are in a real need of both practical and emotional support. The commitment from the Hotel du Vin and Malmaison Group has been tremendous and will help us to reach our target to support as many people affected by cancer as we can. The Foundation is very important to me and my family and we were extremely proud to walk the first leg, which was over 12 miles, with Robert and his colleagues.”

In its first project, The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation is raising funds to build a new Centre in conjunction with the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre in Lanarkshire to provide practical and emotional support to cancer patients, their families and carers. The Elizabeth Montgomerie Building will be based at Monklands Hospital, Lanarkshire and will be designed by one of the world’s leading architects.

Laura Lee, Chief Executive of Maggie’s Care Centres, said: “With some of the highest cancer rates in Europe, there is a real need for a Maggie’s Centre in Lanarkshire. We are now seeing the plans of the new Centre at Monkland’s Hospital coming together and this would not be possible without the help of Colin, Gaynor and the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation and their supporters like the Hotel du Vin and Malmaison Group.”

The leading lifestyle hotel group has hosted a series of charity events, organised staff fundraising activities and a discretionary £1 has been added to guests’ bills to go towards the charity throughout the year.

To show your support for the team from Malmaison & Hotel du Vin, log on to www.scf.workwithus.org to donate. Alternatively, you can donate in person to any Malmaison or Hotel du Vin in the UK.

Comments (0)

Older Posts »