Latest news with #GraemeSmeaton
Scotsman
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Hugh Grant surprises Graeme Souness during charity golf challenge
An Edinburgh man, who took on a gruelling five-day golf marathon for charity in June, was stunned when a Hollywood actor turned up mid-round to cheer him on. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Graeme Smeaton, 41, played 25 rounds of golf in just five days to raise money for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, a charity setup by the late Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir OBE. The Morningside man raised more than £11,500 to help fund vital research for motor neuron disease (MND) research. The extraordinary challenge caught the attention of Hollywood actor and golf fanatic Hugh Grant, who after learning about the fundraiser, reportedly jumped into a golf buggy and made a beeline for Graeme's group, asking with a grin: 'Which one of you is the crazy one?' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hollywood star Hugh Grant surprised Graeme mid-challenge while on a five-day, 25-round golf marathon for MND in East Lothian. The Foundation, launched by the late Doddie Weir, funds vital research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure for MND. | Third Party The Love Actually star was enjoying a round at the exclusive Luffness Golf Club, in Aberlady, when he stunned an exhausted Graeme, who over the course of his challenge clocked up more than 275,000 steps, hit more than 2,200 shots, and survived on just 25 hours of sleep. Graeme said: 'It was mad – just not what you expect to see in the middle of a round. He was so charming, kind and encouraging – just as you'd imagine. He shook my hand, posed for a photo, and wished me luck. It gave me a massive lift and really spurred me on.' Graeme's challenge involved playing six of Scotland's most iconic courses in East Lothian, walking more than 100 miles on foot and playing five full rounds every day – with new golfers joining him for each stretch to keep his spirits up. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was also joined by a host of high-profile supporters, including former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Roger Baird, and Andy Irvine, as well as friends and family of Scott Stewart, a much-loved figure in Scottish golf and a passionate MND campaigner, who sadly died from the disease in December last year. Graeme Smeaton (left) raised over £11k for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. Doddie Weir raised millions through a charity he set up with his wife, My Name'5 Doddie Foundation to aid research into MND following his diagnosis in 2016 | Third party Graeme added: 'To share the experience with so many people – especially Scott's friends and family – was incredibly moving. The support I received throughout was unbelievable. The wind was brutal at times, but the camaraderie kept me going. 'I feel lucky to have been able to play a small part in raising money and awareness. I know Doddie and Scott would've got a kick out of the madness of it all.' You can watch Graeme's challenge via his Instagram page and you can donate to his fundraiser by visiting the Just Giving website.
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Hugh Grant surprises Scots golfer during 'crazy' 25-round challenge
Graeme Smeaton played 25 rounds of golf across five days to fundraise for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. A Scot who took on a five-day golf marathon to fundraise for motor neurone disease research was stunned when Hollywood superstar Hugh Grant turned up in the middle of his challenge. Graeme Smeaton, from Edinburgh, played 25 rounds across six courses in East Lothian between June 2 and 6. He has raised over £11,000 for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, set up in memory of the late Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir, who died in 2022 following a battle with motor neurone disease (MND). During his gruelling feat, he clocked up 125 miles on foot, hit over 2,200 shots, and did it all on just 25 hours sleep. Although he had already been joined by some high-profile supporters along the way, he was blown away by the Love Actually actor appearing to cheer him on. Golf fanatic Grant was playing a round at the exclusive Luffness Golf Club in Aberlady when he heard about what Graeme was up to. Graeme said: 'It was mad – just not what you expect to see in the middle of a round. He was so charming, kind and encouraging – just as you'd imagine. He shook my hand, posed for a photo, and wished me luck. It gave me a massive lift and really spurred me on.' Graeme was also joined by former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Roger Baird, and Andy Irvine, as well as friends and family of Scott Stewart, a much-loved figure in Scottish golf and a passionate MND campaigner, who sadly died from the disease in December last year. 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'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He said: 'To share the experience with so many people – especially Scott's friends and family – was incredibly moving. The support I received throughout was unbelievable. The wind was brutal at times, but the camaraderie kept me going. "I feel lucky to have been able to play a small part in raising money and awareness. I know Doddie and Scott would've got a kick out of the madness of it all.' Graeme had said ahead of his challenge that the East Lothian courses were where he "fell in love with golf". Although he was raising money himself, his main goal was to increase awareness of the work the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation itself does to raise funds for MND research. During the five days, he sported trousers in the official Doddie tartan designed in memory of Weir. The trousers were created by Graeme's own golf apparel brand Royal and Awesome, with 15% of each sale going to the charity. He could be seen wearing them as he celebrated the end of his efforts in style with champagne at Gullane Golf Club. Graeme's fundraising page, which is still taking donations, can be accessed here, and the highlights of his challenge can be found on his Instagram account.
Scotsman
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Hugh Grant stuns Scottish golfer during 25-round MND fundraiser in East Lothian
Hugh Grant surprises 'crazy' Graeme Smeaton in middle of his golfing marathon Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hollywood superstar and golf fanatic Hugh Grant stunned an exhausted fundraiser by turning up mid-round to cheer him on during a five-day golf marathon in East Lothian. The actor was enjoying a round at Luffness Golf Club when he heard about Graeme Smeaton playing 25 rounds of golf in just five days to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND) research. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad During the marathon challenge, which was inspired by the late Doddie Weir, Smeaton hit more than 2,200 shots and survived on just 25 hours of sleep. Graeme Smeaton and Hugh Grant pictured at Luffness Golf Club in East Lothian | Contributed On hearing about the challenge, which took place earlier this month, Grant reportedly jumped into a golf buggy and made a beeline for Smeaton's group, asking with a grin: 'Which one of you is the crazy one?' Smeaton, founder of golf apparel brand Royal & Awesome, said: 'It was mad – just not what you expect to see in the middle of a round. He was so charming, kind and encouraging – just as you'd imagine. He shook my hand, posed for a photo, and wished me luck. It gave me a massive lift and really spurred me on.' Challenge involved playing six courses in East Lothian Playing five full rounds every day, the challenge involved playing six top courses in East Lothian, where Smeaton was joined by a host of high-profile supporters, including former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Roger Baird, and Andy Irvine. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was also supported by friends and family of Scott Stewart, a much-loved figure in Scottish golf and a passionate MND campaigner, who sadly died from the disease in December last year. 'To share the experience with so many people – especially Scott's friends and family – was incredibly moving,' admitted Smeaton. 'The support I received throughout was unbelievable. The wind was brutal at times, but the camaraderie kept me going.' Graeme Smeaton celebrates playing ten of his rounds in East Lothian during a marathon golf challenge | Contributed So far, Graeme has raised more than £11,000 for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, with donations continuing to come in. The Foundation, launched by the late Doddie Weir, funds vital research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure for MND. He added: 'I feel lucky to have been able to play a small part in raising money and awareness. I know Doddie and Scott would've got a kick out of the madness of it all.'
Scotsman
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
I'll play five rounds of golf every day for five consecutive days to raise money for MND research
An Edinburgh man is gearing up for an epic endurance test next week – playing five full rounds of golf every day for five consecutive days to raise money for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Graeme Smeaton will walk the equivalent of a marathon a day, cover 125-miles in total and hit around 2,000 shots, with a target of raising £25,000 towards MND research. The 41-year-old put the plan in motion after partnering with the charity to launch a limited-edition Doddie tartan range via his clothing company Royal & Awesome earlier in the year. The Morningside man got permission from several East Lothian golf courses including Gullane, Luffness and Longniddry to tee off at the break of dawn to carry out his challenge. Graeme said he usually plays 10 rounds of golf across the entire year but is ready to take on the 'gruelling' challenge which runs from Monday, June 2 to Friday, June 6. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Graeme Smeaton will play five full rounds of golf every day for five consecutive days to raise money for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation | My Name'5 Doddie Foundation Graeme said: 'These courses are where I fell in love with golf, so to take on this challenge here, for a cause as meaningful as My Name'5 Doddie Foundation's feels incredibly special. 'I'm aiming to raise £25,000 but the main goal is to raise awareness of the incredible work the foundation does to raise vital funds for MND research. This is nothing compared to what people living with MND go through every day. I just want to do my bit – and hopefully inspire donations along the way.' Graeme will be donning Royal & Awesome's limited-edition Doddie tartan range throughout the challenge, with 15 per cent of each sale going directly to support MND research. The Edinburgh man will also be joined by a rotating cast of supporters and friends, including former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Andy Irvine, and Roger Baird. Also joining will be friends and family of MND campaigner Scott Stewart, who lost his battle with MND in December 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking to the Evening News, Graeme said: 'I probably play golf socially on average 10 times a year, so this is a big step up from that. I think playing five rounds on the first day will probably be pretty tough. But then going to bed and getting five hours sleep before doing it all again for five days will be pretty gruelling. 'Then there's the unknown of what my swing is going to be like after playing for that length time. But I'll be trying to keep it down the middle to make the walking distances as short as possible. I'll just keep on keeping on. 'I looked at when the sun rises and sets this time of year and it rises about 4.30am and sets about 10 pm. That gives me exactly three and a half hours to do each round plus traveling between the courses, so I'll be starting at 4.30am and the last round will start at 6.30pm. I'm hoping to finish around 9.30pm which should get me a few hours sleep each night.' Paul Thompson, fundraising and communications firector at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, said: 'Graeme's challenge is bold, brilliant, and full of heart – exactly the kind of energy Doddie brought to life. We're incredibly grateful for his support and can't wait to see him take on all 25 rounds. He's doing something extraordinary to help fund vital research and raise awareness of MND.' You can support Graeme Smeaton's fundraiser by visiting the Just Giving website and follow his social media channels for updates.
Leader Live
26-05-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Golf brand founder to play 25 rounds in five days in MND charity fundraiser
The challenge will see Royal & Awesome's Graeme Smeaton hit more than 2,000 shots and walk the equivalent of nearly a marathon a day, while surviving on less than 25 hours of sleep. He is hoping his feat will raise £25,000 for the foundation, which was set up by the late Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir to fund research into motor neurone disease (MND). All 25 rounds will take place next month on some of East Lothian's revered courses, including Gullane, Luffness, Kilspindie and Longniddry – which Mr Smeaton said made the challenge 'incredibly special'. He explained: 'These courses are where I fell in love with golf. 'So to take on this challenge here, for a cause as meaningful as My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, feels incredibly special. 'I'm aiming to raise £25,000 but the main goal is to raise awareness of the incredible work the foundation does to raise vital funds for MND research. 'This is nothing compared to what people living with MND go through every day. I just want to do my bit – and hopefully inspire donations along the way.' Mr Smeaton will sport Royal & Awesome's limited-edition Doddie tartan range throughout the challenge, 15% of each sale of which will go directly to support MND research. He will also be joined by a rotating cast of supporters and friends during the week, including former Scotland rugby internationals John Barclay, Andy Irvine and Roger Baird. Also among those who will accompany him are Weir's son Hamish, and friends and family of MND campaigner Scott Stewart, who lost his battle with the condition in December. Paul Thompson, director of fundraising and communications at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, said: 'Graeme's challenge is bold, brilliant, and full of heart – exactly the kind of energy Doddie brought to life. 'We're incredibly grateful for his support and can't wait to see him take on all 25 rounds. 'He's doing something extraordinary to help fund vital research and raise awareness of MND.' The challenge takes place from June 2 to 6. For more information about it, or to make a donation, visit
