Balvaird charity day beats the weather blues

Jul 19 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PETROLHEADS and families flocked to the Balvaird Fun Day on Sunday for a hugely successful fund-raising day which raised in the region of £25,000 for three charities: Help For Heroes, Cash for Kids and the Tayside Dermatological Skin Cancer Research Fund.

The highlight of the event, in beautiful countryside between the Bein Inn and Gateside, was an unprecedented collection of rare, luxury vehicles valued in excess of £10 million.

Other attractions included a display of vintage agricultural vehicles, clay pigeon shooting, beat the goalie, fishing, 4x4 driving, police dog displays, face painting and bucking broncos.

The success was just reward for the months of planning which went into the event and the small army of volunteers who ensured it ran smoothly.

The fund-raiser was the brainchild of local businessmen John and Alan McGregor of Binn Skips, and yesterday John reflected on how the success of the fun day had exceeded expectations, despite the volatile weekend weather: “The day went very, very well and we had a big turnout of people which was more than we expected.

“We were very fortunate that the weather turned fair at the right time.

“There was a huge amount of hard work put into the event and on Saturday night we thought it would be a disaster. But we had no rain from 8.30am on Sunday until the evening.

“People will never see such a display of cars like it. We had well over 100 cars. Among the Ferraris was an Enzo which cost more than £1 million and we had a Ferrari Diablo, two Bentley and two Rolls-Royce shooting brakes on display.”

Mr McGregor added: “It’s too early to say if this will be a annual event, but if it is we will make it even bigger and better next year!”

l IT is hoped that another fund-raiser at Balvaird this summer will swell the charity fundraising kitty to around £50,000.

John and Allan have arranged a barbecue, auction and raffle at Balvaird on Sunday, August 14, from 2-7pm. Again, the three charities to benefit are Help for Heroes, Tayside Cash for Kids and NHS Tayside Dermatological Skin Cancer Research Fund.

Tickets are £25 per adult which includes entry for one child, five free drinks and unlimited food. Additional child tickets can be bought for £5 if required.

Spaces at the event are limited; anybody who would like to purchase tickets should contact Bill Kowbel at Binn Skips Ltd, telephone 01577 830914 or email: bill@binnskips.co.uk