Marchmount BC charity bowl-a-thon
This year members at Marchmount Bowling Club in Dumfries have chosen to support two charities in memory of David Fraser, a long serving and dedicated member of Marchmount for over 40 years, who died earlier this year. A club champion, former President, Club Secretary for over 20 years, a Life Member, an honour which he was quietly proud of, and a long-term supporter and Honorary Member of the Dumfriesshire Ex-Presidents Association. David was also a keen gardener who looked after the grounds of the club, cleaning windows, benches and always strived to keep the club looking good. A true ambassador of Marchmount Bowling Club and well regarded throughout the bowling community.
David was a long-term supporter of CHAS Children’s Hospices Across Scotland and this is one of the charities chosen to support. The other is MND Scotland, an illness that David was diagnosed with late in his life. David’s son Paul and grandson Jamie also completed the Dundee Kilt Walk for MND Scotland on Sunday 17 August.
As a club, a marathon challenge was set, with volunteers bowling for 24 hours from 6pm on Friday 29 August to 6pm on Saturday 30 August 2025. 14 club members signed up for the 24 hours with many more participating at various stages for shorter or longer periods throughout the 24 hours. A raffle was arranged with support from local businesses, some already associated with the club, who donated some great prizes. There was something for bowlers and non-bowlers alike to win, from a spa evening to a signed Alex Marshall MBE shirt! Food, drink and live entertainment were available for all with the doors of this Try Bowls club, as always, being opened to non-bowlers from the community as well as members.
An open invitation was extended to fellow bowlers from across the region to join in the event in memory of David. Regular posts on Marchmount’s social media pages updated followers with the links to both charities’ JustGiving pages and news of the event. Club President Alan Glendinning sent us a report following the successful weekend:
“It was a brilliant 24 hours, I’ve never seen the club come together like it did. Members were in making breakfast for those in the green, and kept that going all day, neighbours took aerial photos from the next-door houses, the community feeling and support was fantastic.
“14 of our members were involved in the 24-hour challenge, but generosity of visitors really stood out. A special mention to Langholm Old Town Bowling Club who brought 9 players across on the Friday evening to take part for a wee while, brought raffle prizes, bought tickets and made donations. We also had visitors from Dumfries BC, Thornhill BC, New Abbey BC and Dumfriesshire Ex Presidents Association at various stages of the 24-hour period, we are so grateful for their support.
“Local businesses have donated some great prizes for the raffle, we also had some of them visit the club during the event. Mostly I want to highlight the support from our members who genuinely wanted to be part of it. I had a concept in my head but had to wing it to make it all happen and get anyone who wanted to play, on the green. Everyone at the club came to together to support the charities and despite being a long time everyone kept each other going with some great humour throughout. A few ‘guest visitors’ raised a few laughs and kept everyone entertained with their fancy dress in memory of David Fraser’s costume making prowess!
“The sun shone brightly at the start, and the rain came down at the end but it didn’t dampen the spirits and the determination to succeed. The initial count on Sunday showed donations of £4100 and raffle ticket sales amounting to £3000. An amazing amount and there is still more to come. We are still accepting donations through Just Giving and raffle tickets are still available to be drawn on 18th October with some great prizes.”
Congratulations to all involved in this fantastic fundraising event by Marchmount BC and thanks to Alan for sharing the news with us.
As well as supporting good causes and remembering loved ones, fundraising can be a great way to bring clubs and their communities together. Bowls Scotland's official charitable partner is Erskine Veterans Charity and any club interesting on fundraising on their behalf can find details at www.erskine.org.uk