Bearsden SkiClub to benefit from £10,000 cash boost

The Watson Foundation - set up by John Watson OBE – has made the donation to fund racing and coaching.

And the cheque handover marked a happy return to the club for John who was its president in 1981-82 and has had a long and successful association with it.

A skier of great distinction himself, John was a gold medalist in the British Winter Pentathlon and bronze medalist in the European Winter Pentathlon.

He said: “The Watson Foundation is delighted to be helping Bearsden Ski Club. I have many fond memories of my time here and feel sure this donation will go a long way to helping others.

“I hope they derive the same enjoyment I did from the ski club. It is a wonderful club and I wish it every success for the future.”

Now retired, John is a Bearsden resident and is the former chairman and chief executive of long-established printing company John Watson and Company Ltd.

The donation came about after young ski club member Lucy Scott (16) wrote to the Foundation enquiring if funds might be made available to help the club.

John immediately replied saying the Foundation would be glad to help and the money will now be used specifically to promote racing and coaching.

Promising Alpine skier Lucy said: “I was amazed and delighted when The Watson Foundation said it could help. I am so glad I wrote to John in the first place.”

Club race convener Dr Gordon Crawford, himself an accomplished winter pentathlete, added: “We are extremely grateful to The Watson Foundation for this generous donation which will go a long way to helping others.

“Skiing is an expensive sport so to receive funds specifically earmarked for racing and coaching is of enormous benefit to the club.”

Bearsden Ski Club was formed over 50 years ago by a small band of enthusiasts. It quickly grew to be recognised as one of the major influences in Scottish skiing producing many world-class skiers including Olympian Lesley Beck and now Douglas Crawford, currently competing in World Cup races.

In 2013 the club celebrated its 50th anniversary. It boasts a membership of around 1200 skiers, ski boarders and social members.

Having spent around £1million in 2005/2006, the club now provides one of the most advanced dry slope facilities in Britain incorporating the main alpine slope, two nursery slopes and the UK’s premier “freeride” slope for boarders and freeriders.