Sport stars tee off for Hartson charity
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A host of football personalities, from north and south of the border, teed off with Celtic legend John Hartson in a charity golf challenge to aid the fight against testicular cancer – and created quite a stir with their awesome outfits.
Stars included former Wales international Robbie Savage, England’s Alan Shearer and Ian Wright, and former Liverpool hardman Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock were among those playing in the first John Hartson Foundation golf day in Scotland, with sporting outfits supplied by Scotland golf clothing brand, Royal & Awesome.
Savage, who has been friends with international team-mate Hartson for years, was one of the first to pledge support for the day. He said: “John and I go way back and, like many others in the world of sport and beyond, I was devastated when I found out about his illness. It’s fantastic to see all the work he does raising money to help others and spreading the word about testicular cancer. I’m ‘grabbing life by the balls’ and I would urge everyone else to do the same.”
The star-studded event – at the exclusive Carrick on Loch Lomond golf course – also saw Celtic manager Neil Lennon, his assistant Johan Mjallby, and former Hoops Frank McAvennie, Murdo MacLeod and Alan Stubbs grace the fairways to help a great cause. Stubbs, who beat testicular cancer in 1999 only to battle a spinal tumour just 18 months later, has given his backing to Hartson’s mission to raise awareness. He said: “I had no hesitation in supporting such a wonderful cause. From my own experience, I know how important it is to get the word out about looking after your health.”
Rangers boss Ally McCoist, ex-Ibrox stars Derek Johnstone and Bert Konterman, Raith Rovers hero Gordon Dalziel, European tour golfer Marc Warren, BBC Football Focus presenter Dan Walker and former First Minister Lord McConnell were among the other guests.
Hartson, sporting sponsor Royal and Awesome’s distinctive ‘pink ticket’ apparel, said: “I’m delighted by the support we’ve had for the first John Hartson Foundation Golf Day we’ve held in Scotland and hope this will be the first of many. We’re not only raising funds, but spreading the word about testicular cancer and the importance of checking yourself by getting our ‘Grab Life by the Balls’ message out there.”
Hartson set up the foundation following his 2009 battle with testicular cancer, which spread to his lungs and brain and left him fighting for life. The charity raises awareness of testicular cancer and supports people with cancer and their families. Last November, the former Wales international presented a cheque for £50,000 to Yorkhill Children’s Foundation, to help provide facilities for families whose children are being treated for cancer at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital For Sick Children.
