After months of preparation involving help from many friends in and around Balerno Bowling Club Ross Young and Grant Wilson kicked off on their 24hr Bowlathon on Saturday 9th June at 1pm! The game which was Team Young v Team Wilson played continually for the full 24hrs, achieving what they set out to do.
They raised just short of £2,000 which will be split between the Special Care Baby Unit at St John’s Hospital, Livingston and the Edinburgh Transplant Unit and Games Team.
Ross Young who is a co-founder of the Bowlathon has chosen The Edinburgh Transplant Unit/Team after being diagnosed in August 2005 with Polycystic Kidney Disease.
Ross said:- “Since 2005 I have been treated with medication then dialysis and lucky enough to receive my transplant on 18th Nov 2010. I now participates in the British Transplant Games travelling Britain each year to help raise awareness for the need of organ donation. From my personal experience and other like me it is obviously life changing for myself and my family and friends. Both my young sons have the start of Polycystic kidneys however this shouldn’t affect them if it does at all until adulthood. So raising awareness of organ donation will always be high on my agenda as there is a high chance that later in life I will need a further transplant.”
Grant Wilson who is also a co-founder of the Bowlathon decided to opt for SCBU as his charity as his oldest son Logan was born 9 weeks premature back in June 2006. Grant said:- “Logan who has just turned 6 is now thriving and living life to the full after his precious care from SCBU.”
Anne Blake who joined both Ross and Grant this year is delighted to be involved in such a great event to raise funds for both causes and has a special interest at heart as Claire her daughter has Liver problems and in time will need a transplant.
Gordon Macdonald MSP commented “I was happy to support their fundraising event and visited them on Saturday afternoon to wish them every success in completing their 24 hour challenge. I’m sure all three of them are extremely tired but very happy after the success of their marathon Bowlathon”
The boys are still collecting for both charities, so if you would like to donate please e-mail roscoyoung@virginmedia.com or contact him by phone 07738 699 207.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
