A memorial vintage vehicle and tractor run will be held tomorrow to raise money in memory of a Strichen man affected by a rare disease.
Sandy Thain, who had amyloidois – a disease that can cause fatigue, weight loss and organ failure – died in April this year at the age of 75.
The condition, which affects as few as one in 100,000 people in the UK, is caused by the build up of abnormal protein deposits which interfere with the body’s organs.
As a tribute to Mr Thain, who was a well-known face in Strichen, a multi-vehicle drive through rural Aberdeenshire has been organised by the Banff and Buchan Institute of Advanced Motorists, of which he was a member.
Jane Ironside, the group’s secretary, said they had come up with the fundraiser in recognition of Mr Thain’s love of motoring.
She added: “Sandy was a good tractor man. There was nothing he liked better than hauling about in his tractors. A group of friends have been saying for years they wanted to do a tractor run, so we thought this would be the time to do it.
“It’s a very worthwhile cause and an awful lot of people have been very generous with donations which is a testament to the man.”
The run will leave the British Legion in Strichen at 10.30am and follow a route through New Pitsligo, New Aberdour, Rosehearty and Sandhaven to Fraserburgh before returning to Strichen.
Mr Thain, a former military police officer and army cadet instructor, had been treated for the disease at the University College Hospital in London. The money raised from the run will be donated to the hospital’s amyloidosis research unit – the National Amyloidosis Centre.
The centre is the only one of its kind in the UK dedicated to meeting the needs of amyloidosis patients, providing chemotherapy treatments and organ transplants. The aim of these treatments is to suppress the underlying condition and production of the amyloid forming protein.