Aberdeenshire charity for terminally ill children boosted with record-breaking donation

North-east children’s charity Kayleigh’s Wee Stars has been boosted by a record £38,000 donation from Royal Dornoch Golf Club.

A series of fundraising events held at the Highland club over the past two years teed-up a grand total of cash for the Captains’ Charities.

Kayleigh’s Wee Stars (KWS) was selected as the main charity, having been supported by past captains Professor David Bell and Wilma Murray. Wilma and the Ladies Section also donated £1500 to cancer care charity Maggie's.

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KWS trustee and co-founder, Jonathan Cordiner, accepted the cheque on behalf of the charity, which works with families across Scotland with a terminally ill child to relieve some of the financial pressure.

Jonathan and his wife Anna set up the charity in 2012, after tragically losing their 20-month-old daughter Kayleigh to a terminal brain tumour.

Jonathan said: "This is an incredible gesture by Royal Dornoch and hugely appreciated. It is a game changer for us. We support four or five families a month at a cost of around £10,000 per month, so it really is marvellous to receive our biggest ever single donation.

"As a small family-run charity, we rely heavily on our supporters, and have raised £1.4 million over the last 12 years. In that time we have been able to support around 800 families, and this generous donation will enable us to help many more."

"We had six months with Kayleigh before she passed away and we made every day an adventure," Jonathan explained. "But during that period, we learned of families in horrendous situations.

"Parents were off work, or self-employed with no wage coming in or they were single parents, perhaps having to cope with deprivation at the same time. We step in and support families with a grant of between £1,000 and £2,000.

"Each and every family is unique, and no family spends it the same way. Some opt for a special trip; they might hire a special vehicle; others adapt their home or buy a piece of much-needed equipment. Sometimes it is just about relieving financial pressure.

"David had kept the total to himself, so you can imagine my surprise when I saw the number on the cheque! We strive for sustainability and now we can start looking ahead, knowing we have a few months covered by the Royal Dornoch donation."

Professor Bell thanked Royal Dornoch members at home and abroad for their generous support: "The Captains’ Charities initiative is supported by various fundraising events over their time in office," he explained.

"I have a grandson with a serious health condition, so Kayleigh’s Wee Stars definitely struck a cord with us. Each year two eagerly anticipated Captains’ Weekends allow members to bring a guest onto the Championship Course and the dinner is followed by an auction conducted splendidly by our general manager, Neil Hampton.

"We are always fortunate to attract some fabulous lots to go under the hammer, ranging from golf at top courses in Scotland, England, Spain and the USA to sporting memorabilia, limited edition prints and luxury hotel breaks. Our North American members are particularly generous with their backing for the auctions.

"Wilma and the Ladies Section have also been very supportive, with local members arranging various Ladies Open competitions aimed at swelling the Captains’ Charities."

Professor Bell also thanked Elgin Golf Club head professional Ross McConnachie: "Ross is a big friend to Kayleigh’s Wee Stars, and he took part in a Beat the Pro challenge at a Par 3 at one of our events. He also made a speech at the Captains’ Dinner and explained how our donations would be put to very good use."