Tee off to hit fundraising target

Michael Brown has raised £8,950 for The Beatson Cancer Centre as a means of giving back for his own treatment, having been diagnosed with cancer in 2010.

He told The Extra: “I was diagnosed with a few brain tumours — these were right behind my eyes and were pushing against my optic nerve system. It was decided that surgery was out of the question — even getting a biopsy was a no-no.

“We decided that radiotherapy was going to be the plan of attack and I started a course of treatment in January 2011.

“To this day, the three tumours have shrunk significantly, and this year showed no signs of growing back — this has made me feel quite hopeful that we caught it in time.”

Following treatment, Michael rediscovered a love of golf, and two years ago joined Mearns Castle.

He continued: “I had thought of doing something to pay back The Beatson, as they were fantastic — and still are — about everything I went through.

“It hit me that I could maybe organise a golf day for friends and fellow club members, in order to raise some funds. I spent a while planning my first event last year and — despite the weather — we raised £1,500.”

From there, Michael’s JustGiving page took off and - despite another wet and wild May day — this year’s event set him on his way towards a £10,000 target, raising over £2,300.

The charity day, on May 17, was also used to raise money in memory of the former British tennis number one Elena Baltacha, who recently passed away as a result of liver cancer.

Michael said: “One of the guys to play this year was Sergei, Elena’s brother.

“Due to her sudden passing away, Sergei didn’t make the golf day — so I decided that I would like to give something to Elena’s charity, Rally4Bally, and we split the proceeds from one of the raffles, making a donation of £110.”

The fundraiser is well on his way to smashing his £10,000 target with a “bigger and better” golfing event next year — and anyone who wishes to sponsor him in between can visit www.justgiving.com/Michael4Beatson.