An Aberdeenshire couple were bowled over by their friends’ generosity when they enlisted their support for the campaign to build a new cancer support centre in Aberdeen.
Mary and Hebbie Watson threw a party to celebrate being given the freedom of their local bowling club at Belhelvie and asked guests to give donations to the Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal.
It resulted in a £750 boost for the campaign, which is aiming to raise £3million to open a Maggie’s centre at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Mrs Watson said the couple, of Middlemuir Croft, Whitecairns, were touched by their friends’ kindness.
“We’re lucky that we have never had any personal involvement with cancer but it’s one of these diseases that touches everyone in some way. Everyone knows of a friend or relative who has needed treatment.
“The Maggie’s centre sounds like it will make a real difference to people, and we’re glad we have been able to help in a small way.”
Mrs Watson, 68, has bowled at Belhelvie for 42 years and her 71-year-old husband for 43. They have both held roles on the committee.
“The club has been such a big part of our lives,” she said. “Getting the freedom of the green is a bit like a long-service medal.
“We invited 48 of our bowling friends for a game and something to eat.
“It was a lovely day, they really did us proud, and to raise so much money for Maggie’s was the icing on the cake.”
The Press and Journal is supporting the Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal, which is being fronted by Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres and the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation, set up by golfer Colin Montgomerie in memory of his mother who died from lung cancer.
Aberdeen is the only major Scottish city not to have a Maggie’s centre and NHS Grampian will be making a site available at Foresterhill for the building.