Golf brand founder to play 25 rounds in five days in MND charity fundraiser

The challenge will see Royal & Awesome’s Graeme Smeaton hit more than 2,000 shots and walk the equivalent of nearly a marathon a day, while surviving on less than 25 hours of sleep.

He is hoping his feat will raise £25,000 for the foundation, which was set up by the late Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir to fund research into motor neurone disease (MND).

All 25 rounds will take place next month on some of East Lothian’s revered courses, including Gullane, Luffness, Kilspindie and Longniddry – which Mr Smeaton said made the challenge “incredibly special”.

He explained: “These courses are where I fell in love with golf.

“So to take on this challenge here, for a cause as meaningful as My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, feels incredibly special.

“I’m aiming to raise £25,000 but the main goal is to raise awareness of the incredible work the foundation does to raise vital funds for MND research.

“This is nothing compared to what people living with MND go through every day. I just want to do my bit – and hopefully inspire donations along the way.”

Mr Smeaton will sport Royal & Awesome’s limited-edition Doddie tartan range throughout the challenge, 15% of each sale of which will go directly to support MND research.

He will also be joined by a rotating cast of supporters and friends during the week, including former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Andy Irvine and Roger Baird.

Also among those who will accompany him are Weir’s son Hamish, and friends and family of MND campaigner Scott Stewart, who lost his battle with the condition in December.

Paul Thompson, director of fundraising and communications at My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “Graeme’s challenge is bold, brilliant, and full of heart – exactly the kind of energy Doddie brought to life.

“We’re incredibly grateful for his support and can’t wait to see him take on all 25 rounds.

“He’s doing something extraordinary to help fund vital research and raise awareness of MND.”

The challenge takes place from June 2 to 6.

For more information about it, or to make a donation, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/graeme-smeaton-2.

Last month, Scottish rugby great Kenny Logan pledged to “keep going” until a cure for motor neurone disease (MND) is found, as he prepared for a 555-mile fundraising cycle challenge.

Doddie’s Lions Challenge will see Logan joined by Weir’s son Hamish and more than 50 celebrities and ex-players as they aim to raise more than £500,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Weir set up the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation in 2017, the year after he was diagnosed with MND. He died of the condition aged 52 in 2022.