A golf fundraising event held at the Duke’s Course in St Andrews earlier this month has raised over £10,000 to develop a new gym facility that will enhance the health and wellbeing for autistic adults in Clackmannan.

The 2021 golf event, a partnership between long-term sponsors SG Pro Cleaning, based in Alloa, and Scottish Autism, was held on Friday, 17 September.

A total of £10,349 was raised from the event which involved 88 players from businesses across the Central Belt, and prizes donated from a number of businesses including Ceteris; Stephen Hunter Electrical; Marshall Construction; SV24-7; Dentistry @ No.3; Inglewood House; Ochil Training; Ochil Joiners; Total Reinstatement Services Ltd; Stirling Highland Hotel; and The Scottish Gantry.

Maxwell Smith, a pupil from Dollar Academy, was also in attendance as the piper for the event. 

The funds will all go towards a new gym facility at Scottish Autism’s Chrysalis service in Clackmannan. Opened 10 years ago, the service provides day and vocational opportunities for autistic adults, enabling them to identify their own interests, skills, choices and desires and shapes a programme of daily activities.

Headquartered in Alloa, Scottish Autism is a national charity and Scotland’s largest provider of autism-specific services and a leading authority and advocate for good autism practice,

Commenting on the success of the event, Karen Wilson, Income Generation Lead at Scottish Autism, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the success of this year’s golf event, which has raised an incredible amount of funds. This marks the first golf day we’ve been able to stage since the onset of the pandemic and we’re hugely grateful to all those who got involved, including SG Pro which has now sponsored the event for nine years.

“Once again, the golf day proved to be a lot of fun for all those taking part providing a great opportunity to network with other businesses while supporting Scottish Autism’s important work at the Chrysalis service in Clackmannan.” 

Douglas Smith, Director of SG Pro Cleaning, said: “It was such a fantastic day, raising funds for Scottish Autism along with its purpose and awareness. Thankfully, it stayed dry, and the course was in fantastic condition. Big thanks to the team at The Dukes and to everyone who participated, donated and got involved.”

Photo caption: the attached picture (L to R) shows: Grant MacFarlane, Douglas Smith (SG Pro Cleaning,) Graeme Lawson, Jamie Wilson