Latest news with #CraigFerguson
Daily Record
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Scots man who walked to Munich for Euros completes new challenge for men's suicide charity
Craig Ferguson raised £77,800 for charity last year after walking from Scotland all the way to Munich for the Euros. A young Scots man who famously walked to Munich for the Euros last year to raise money for a men's mental health charity has now completed a new challenge. Craig Ferguson, 22, made headlines last summer while travelling solo through six countries, ending his mighty trek in Germany, in aid of Brothers in Arms - a Glasgow charity tackling men's mental health and suicide prevention. Exactly one year on from his iconic Euros trek, Craig, of Paisley in Renfrewshire, has ticked off another incredible challenge to the list. On Monday June 30, Craig completed a 400-mile journey in just 16 days. He trekked, in his kilt, from Scotland's most Southern point, the Mull of Galloway to Dunnet Head, its most Northern tip. Craig raised a whopping £77,800 for the charity last year, and is now adding to the pot with over £5,200 raised during last month's walk. Speaking to Glasgow Live, he said mental health will "continue to be a cause I fight for until we see a real shift". He said: "I'm incredibly patriotic, so exploring Scotland was super fun. The full of the West Highland Way was just glorious - what really took me back was the hospitality from everyone throughout the trek, particularly those in the Highlands. "I had the kilt back out of course, it's screaming to be retired". Craig is hoping to "end the stigma" around mental health, particularly in men. He added: "Men's mental health is an issue that means the world to me, and it will continue to be a cause I fight for until we see a real shift — both in the conversation and in the harrowing statistics surrounding male suffering and suicide. "This isn't just about raising money; it's about challenging the stigma, changing the narrative, and helping men know they're not alone." At the finish line, the 22-year-old was met with his mum, dad and gran, as well as Dunnet Head locals and a piper. "I got such a special reception at Dunnet Head - there were people from the community clapping me in. It's good to know you're making a difference, it was quite emotional." Craig is nowhere near done yet, he added: "As long as my little legs continue to be able to walk, I will. I'll continue to push for change and try to make a difference in the space". With the World Cup qualifiers coming up this September, Craig said: "If we do qualify, people can definitely expect something from me. I have a few ideas in mind". Craig's JustGiving page is still open to donate. If you wish to contribute, then visit - Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Local Events Supported With $287,000 In Council Grants And New Policy
Councillors approved Queenstown Lakes District Council's (QLDC) events funding at its meeting on Thursday 26 June and adopted a district Events Policy at the same time. A total of $287,000 was awarded as part of the annual contestable Events Fund 2025-2026 which goes toward attracting and supporting sports, arts, cultural and community events across the district. Councillor Craig Ferguson, chair of the QLDC Events Funding Panel, said it was heartening to provide support to a range of commercial and community events that celebrate our district and boost community wellbeing. 'We've been able to award grants to 18 events which will take place across the district including the Queenstown Multicultural Festival, Central Lakes Polyfest, NZ Mountain Film Festival, Challenge Wānaka Festival, Arrowtown Autumn Festival and Wānaka A&P Show,' said Mr Ferguson. The funding criteria supports events that are committed to environmental sustainability, economic impact, event diversity, and positive community benefits. 'This year we've focused on events' environmental sustainability and prioritised funding for applicants that are taking steps toward better waste reduction and the minimisation of carbon emissions,' he said. As well as the yearly funding round, QLDC continues to provide ongoing support for community events through local support grant programmes. Over the past year more than 140 events were supported through in-kind services such as use of Council venues, reserves, equipment and waiving permitting fees. QLDC's Events Funding Panel, which consisted of councillors Craig Ferguson, Quentin Smith, Matt Wong and Barry Bruce, considered the applications in late May. 'It is never easy for the panel to step through the applications. Every year we see the increased demand for support from QLDC so we would like to sincerely thank all of those who applied for funding assistance,' said Mr Ferguson. Full details of the fund recipients can be viewed on the Council's website at Councillor Ferguson says the new QLDC Events Policy will help guide event organisers and staff to make decisions based on what the community want to see from events in our district. 'During the policy engagement we heard how events are highly valued in our district as they contribute to the economic, social and cultural vitality of the area, and reinforce our community identity,' he said. 'This new policy reflects the community's expectations of events such as reducing event waste and carbon emissions and managing the impacts events have on community experience, both positive and negative.' There are eight objectives that have been developed and embedded in the policy to ensure events held in our district support wellbeing in the community and our key strategies. These are mapped to the QLDC Wellbeing Framework. Future procedures, decision-making and funding criteria will be based around these objectives. To view the QLDC Event Policy go to FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri The QLDC Events Fund 2025-2026 opened for applications from 1-30 April for people looking to organise events that benefit the community. The fund is open to both commercial and community-level events. QLDC received 22 applications to the Events Fund requesting a total of $830,971.83 in grants. To view details on past Event Fund recipients, go to QLDC awarded $180,000 through the QLDC Community Fund 2025-2026 to 28 local groups. For more information go to The draft Events Policy was open for community engagement from 10 February to 7 March 2025.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'You have to do your own thing' - Nick Frost on becoming Hagrid
Nick Frost has said you need to "do your own thing" when taking on a much-loved role and not worry too much what people think. The actor, who has just been cast as Hagrid in the new Harry Potter series, was speaking to Newsround about his latest role as Gobber, the blacksmith in How to Train Your Dragon. Both projects have previously been made into films, so how does it feel taking on a role which another actor has played? 'Be respectful' of their work Nick Frost is very familiar with the work of the actors who played Gobber and Hagrid before the animated version of How to Train Your Dragon (2010) Gobber the Belch is voiced by Craig Hagrid in the Harry Potter films was played by Robbie Coltrane "so amazingly".Nick says you have to be "respectful" of what they have done before, but also "try and forget do your own thing". As both Harry Potter and How to Train your Dragon are already based on a hugely popular books, any casting is going to create conversation amongst fans. Nick told Newsround you can't worry too much about what people think."I think just try and enjoy it as much as you can and bring something new to the part," he said. You would think if you were the actor who played the character in the original film it would be Nick Frost's co-star in How to Train Your Dragon, Gerard Butler, says there is still pressure. The actor played Stoick, Hiccup's dad in the 2010 animation and was cast again as the viking for the live-action film. He told Newsround there is pressure to try says cast and crew wanted to make the live-action version "so special" that "those people who loved the animated movies would then say 'oh now I get it'". Fans can see Nick as Gobber in How to Train Your Dragon in cinemas now, but will have to wait until 2026 or 2027 before HBO Max's Harry Potter series is released. But perhaps Nick himself gave us a clue as to what his Hagrid will be like. Newsround presspacker Devon wanted to know how the actor makes the characters he plays so funny. The answer? He tries not to be funny."Never try and be funny. Always try and be serious and I think that way people believe it a bit more."
The National
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Tartan Army fan who trekked to Euros set to walk length of Scotland
Craig Ferguson, 21, is set to walk the entire length of Scotland to raise awareness of local charities and volunteer groups, exactly one year after he began his 1000-mile journey from Hampden Park to Munich for Scotland's opening game against Germany in the Euros. Ferguson will set off from the Mull of Galloway lighthouse in Dumfries and Galloway at 10am on Saturday, hoping to make the 400-mile journey to Scotland's northernmost point – Dunnet Head – in around 16 days. 'It's a year on from my last big challenge, and I want to continue to do this work for charity,' Ferguson told The National. 'I also want to continue keeping myself fit with these challenges.' Craig Ferguson (right) celebrated completing his 1000-mile trek to the Euros with a pint with the First Minister (Image: PA) While Ferguson's Euros challenge raised money for men's mental health charity Brothers in Arms Scotland, he has decided to do something slightly different this year. 'With it having such a focus on Scotland, I wanted to open it up a bit more,' he told The National. 'I thought that it was a little unfair just to be raising money for one charity when there's so many amazing charity and volunteer groups up and down the country.' READ MORE: Ferguson plans on meeting with local charity and volunteer groups as he makes his way north to raise awareness of the work that they do. The young Scot said he hopes to showcase 'not only the people of Scotland, the beauty that we have in our own country, but the amazing work that people are doing which make our country so special'. He continued: 'It's the day-to-day people that are working with charities and volunteer groups that keep this country afloat. 'I know it's cliché and people say it a lot, but people do make Scotland so, so special. 'I may not be able to raise thousands of pounds for each of them, but if we can get a lot of eyes on these charities for people that maybe didn't even know that they were there, I think that's a big positive in itself.' Ferguson also said it was 'the perfect time' to complete a challenge like this. 'With the world being so divisive right now, there's so much different stuff happening. If I can spread a little bit of love and remind people of the amazing work people do, that's probably the part that excites me the most.' There may be some challenges along the way – such as Scotland's unpredictable weather and varied terrain. Ferguson is also going to be wild camping along the route, which he said 'could either slow me down or get me out there a lot faster'. READ MORE: But last year's trek to Munich has certainly prepared him well, as he said: 'The confidence that I now have going into this, knowing that physically and mentally my body can keep up with the demand of a challenge this big. 'I learned more about my body during the walk to Germany than I ever probably will. 'You learn your limits quite quickly, especially when it's the repetitive movement of walking. You learn what your physical barriers are in terms of how many miles you can do in a day, you learn that you can push yourself a lot further.' Ferguson said the possibility of Scotland qualifying for next year's world cup was also spurring him on, telling The National that if the team were successful, he had something planned which would be 'way bigger' than his previous challenges. But he added: 'With the way that the national team are playing, I won't get my hopes up too much on that one.' As well as raising awareness of local charities along his journey, Ferguson has also set up a personal fundraiser for Brothers in Arms, which you can donate to here. You can follow along with his journey on social media (TikTok and Instagram), at @craigferguson_1
Scottish Sun
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Tartan Army fan who walked to Germany embarking on new challenge for the World Cup
He went viral for his last effort and even got a shout out from famous faces SUPER STRIDER Tartan Army fan who walked to Germany embarking on new challenge for the World Cup Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TARTAN Army superfan who walked to Germany for the Euros is embarking on another monumental challenge. Craig Ferguson, 21, went viral for his thousand-mile stride from Hampden Park to Munich for the national side's first game of the 2024 tournament. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Craig Ferguson is embarking on yet another challenge Credit: Tom Farmer 4 Craig will be on the march again Credit: PA 4 He will now be doing something ahead of the World Cup Credit: Tom Farmer He donned a specially made sports kilt as he trekked through six countries for mental health charity Brothers In Arms. Craig, from Paisley, is now setting out on yet another walking challenge - this time attempting to walk the length of Scotland, one year after his march to Munich. The football-daft lad wants to embark on the Scotland stride to celebrate next World Cup in North America. Craig said: 'Exactly one year on from my walk to Germany, I think it's time for a new challenge. 'With the World Cup fastly approaching next year and everyone hoping that Scotland qualifies, in the meantime, Im away for a little wander to keep myself busy.' He added: 'On June 14, I will start at the Mull of Galloway lighthouse, the most southerly point and make the near 400-mile journey to the most northerly point in mainland Scotland. 'I'll be walking the length of Scotland. 'As with last summer this will be raising vital funds and awareness for men's mental health and the charity of choice will again be Brothers In Arms.' Craig's first trek to Germany raised over £77,000 and he was made an official ambassador for the charity. He was even nominated for a FIFA Award for his monumental trek across Europe. Hero's welcome for inspirational Scotland fan who walked 1000 miles to Munich His trek to Germany was inspired by The Proclaimers hit song 500 miles. The young football fan gained so much attention that the musical duo even gave him a shout out. He received a hero's welcome after arriving in the German city, with Tartan Army fans gathering round to get him a well-deserved pint. Craig added: 'The journey will take me along iconic routes like the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way. I'll be passing some of Scotland's most famous landmarks, all leading to Dunnet Head — the northernmost point on the mainland.'
