Friends Iain Evans and David McFarlane will attempt to play 4 rounds of golf in one day to raise money for Maggie's Dundee on the Summer Solstice, Monday 21^st June 2021.

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The reason we are undertaking this challenge is because we both lost our wives to cancer in 2020 and have both benefited from the free support of Maggie's Centres. Maggie’s rely on fundraising to deliver this free and universal support and so we wish to do our part to ‘pay it forward’ so that future people in the same unfortunate position that we were / are in can also access this vital support free of charge.

We have known each other since childhood but started spending more time together as we navigated our own experiences of bereavement and single parenthood. A shared love of golf, and the mental health benefits it has given us both, inspired David to suggest the idea of trying to play 4 rounds of golf (72 holes) in one day. We hope to honour Ana and Catriona and raise funds for a cause we both care about.

We will attempt to play Panmure Golf Course at dawn followed by the 3 courses at Carnoustie Golf Links; rain, hail or shine.

Cat’s story by Iain Evans

Catriona and I got together as teenagers in 2003 and married in June 2013. She is survived by our two beautiful children Max (5) and Rosie (2), who she loved and adored beyond words. Catriona was a proud and committed NHS Community Staff nurse and anyone who knew Catriona will tell you how much of a good person she was.

Catriona was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 34 in November 2019. After starting chemotherapy in early 2020, Cat bravely underwent a mastectomy in mid-2020 hoping for long-term management of the disease. Unfortunately, not long after this the cancer spread and couldn’t be controlled, which eventually led to Catriona’s death on the 29^th of November 2020. She was just 35 years old.

Catriona faced her disease with amazing bravery and dignity, doing all she could to be around for her children for as long as she could be.

Since Catriona’s death, I have had counselling from Maggie’s that has helped me deal with bereavement and to be the best dad I can be for my children. This help has been invaluable to me and allowed me to have someone qualified to speak to in confidence and get advice from in a safe environment. This is something I passionately want to be available to others who will face the same heart breaking experience that I have.

Catriona was caring to a fault, intelligent, funny, respected, beautiful on the inside and out. A wonderful mother and wife. Words cannot explain how much the kids and I miss her.

Ana’s Story by David McFarlane

Ana and I met in our early 20s and were married in 2003. Our family was completed by our two amazing children Cara (16) and Aidan (11) to whom Ana was absolutely devoted.

I work for NHS Tayside and had passed by the Maggie’s Centre in Dundee regularly during lunchtime walks without ever having stepped foot inside. The prospect of Ana’s cancer emerged during June 2019 and when I shared the news to one of my senior colleagues she spoke to me about Maggie’s. “when you leave my office, go over there, don’t wait”. And so I did.

That night I shared to Ana how I had felt walking into Maggie’s. We went together to the centre a few days later and as Ana’s treatment started our children also came along. Most often we just stopped by for a cup of tea, a juice and a chat with the lovely staff. Ana and Cara went together to Maggie’s for a beautician’s day and also to Ana’s wig fitting. Maggie’s also arranged for our kids to have a tour of the chemotherapy unit and even planned a respite holiday for us, although sadly Ana never became well enough for us to go. Maggie’s offer so many services free of charge, something for everyone, whatever their interests or needs. Above all, the staff and volunteers at Maggie’s offer genuine kindness.

Ana passed away on 16 April 2020, aged just 44. Ana lived with cancer as she had lived all her life, with great dignity, good humour, and kindness towards others. Our children are an absolute credit to her and Ana’s love and kindness are with us every single day.

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We are grateful for the opportunity to join together in this fundraising initiative for Maggie’s and to do what we can to support others to be able to benefit from the services Maggie’s offer.

We’re looking forward to being joined on the day by our children, family and friends and sharing this event with them in memory of Ana and Catriona.

Our thanks to Carnoustie Golf Links and Panmure Golf Club for their support and every single person who has donated money to the cause.

Iain & David