Hazel McFarlane and her son Kieran accept a cheque for £700 on behalf of British Blind Sport from Councillors Sandra Goldie, Bill Grant, Alec Oattes
The second annual South Ayrshire Councillors' Burns Supper took place at County Hall on 29 January 2010 and raised the magnificent sum of £700 for British Blind Sport.
Organised by Councillors Sandra Goldie, Bill Grant and Alec Oattes, at no cost to the Council, the supper was billed as an informal and relaxing way to celebrate the life and works of the Bard – an Ayrshire man through and through – as well as promoting Scottish culture and heritage.
The programme of traditional Burns' wit and humour, delivered by councillors and council officers, was enjoyed by all and the evening reflected Rabbie's own fondness for excellent food, good company and terrific entertainment, with the added bonus that a local charity would benefit from all the proceeds raised.
Councillor Goldie said: "We asked all the councillors who came to write the name of their preferred charity on a slip of paper and enter this into a draw, made by Councillor Douglas Campbell later that evening.
"Councillor Campbell drew the slip nominating British Blind Sport.
"We were delighted when a local blind runner, Hazel McFarlane, a member of the Troon Tortoises Athletic Club agreed to come along and accept the £700 on behalf of British Blind Sport. Hazel has been training with the club as preparation for running the London marathon in April.
"Far from allowing her blindness to hold her back, Hazel has been a real inspiration in developing the role of guide runners to run alongside blind athletes, helping them enjoy their sport from both a leisure and a competitive perspective.
"Just as Robert Burns was committed to his roots and local people, we were so impressed with Hazel's determination and commitment to local athletics and the Blind Sports Association, it was entirely appropriate to choose them as our beneficiary for 2010".
Accepting the cheque on behalf of the charity, Hazel said: "I was delighted to learn British Blind Sport was to receive a cheque from the Councillors' Burns Supper and I am thrilled by their generosity.
"On behalf of British Blind Sport, I'd like to thank councillors, officers and all those who bought tickets to support the Councillors' Burns Supper.
"I'd particularly like to thank the organisers, Councillors Goldie, Grant and Oattes and this donation of £700 is very welcome indeed".
Councillor Goldie concluded: "Running the London Marathon is a long standing ambition for Hazel, promoting the inclusion of blind people in sport".
If you would like to help support her challenge and help raise money for British Blind Sport, log on at: www.justgiving.com/Hazel-McFarlane
Alternatively, you can send a cheque payable to British Blind Sport to: Dr Hazel McFarlane, Strathclyde Centre for Disability Research, University of Glasgow, Room 204, Adam Smith Building, Bute Gardens, Glasgow G12 8RT.