Pub regulars soldier away to help charity

Jun 20 2008

PUB regulars were put through their paces military-style to raise money for three local charities.

Customers from Kinnears in Scone were bussed out to Barry Buddon army camp near Carnoustie to take part in a ‘soldier for a day’ competition.

The event pitted six teams – four men and two women – against each other in a variety of heats that ranged from raft building to shooting.

The recipients of the cash raised are the Bravehearts children’s charity and the Catmoor and Tayside nursing homes.

Kinnears’ owners, Catherine and Alex McGiffen, told the PA how these three charities were selected.

“It was actually local people who came forward saying these charities could use the money,” said Catherine.

“The elderly don’t get a lot of money so the funds raised could be used for entertainment or outings.”

Since moving to Perthshire two years ago, the far-travelled couple, who have previously lived in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ayrshire, have tried to give something back to their new community through fund-raising events.

Last year, Kinnears raised £3000 for Ninewells Breast Care Unit and Capability Scotland and the Kinnears staff and locals are hoping to beat that total this time around.

The idea to use army training to raise money came from former Blackwatch PTI Sergeant, Jock McInnes, a regular in the pub.

Jock, from Scone, and current Black Watch officer, Captain Atholl Stewart, worked with Catherine and Alex to plan this year’s event.

And Catherine was full of praise for Jock and all his fund-raising efforts.

She said: “He does a huge amount of charity work. He really deserves a medal.

“He’s raised thousands of pounds to date – and he’s going to climb Mount Ras Dashen in Ethiopia in August.

It wasn’t only the charities who benefited from the Barry Buddon event.

“The participants were able to rub shoulders with Scottish boxing legend Ken Buchanan, MBE, who joined one of the teams.

“It was an honour to have him there,” said Catherine. “It was a nice surprise for everyone.”