Grangemouth 92-year-old who beat Covid sinks 100 putts for hospice
A 92-year-old great-granddad holed 100 putts to support a palliative care service after being inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore.
Golf-loving Grangemouth resident Donald Walls spent ten days practising on the putting green at Grangemouth Golf Club ahead of his self-set challenge for Strathcarron Hospice.
Having “admired” the lengths Sir Tom went to for the NHS, former PGA coach Donald decided to put his talents to good use for charity by sinking a century of putts last Friday – raising more than £3000 in the process.
He was cheered on by friends and family, including daughter Evelyn and son David.
Evelyn said: “It went absolutely brilliantly.
“He did it with mostly two putts to every hole. Strathcarron’s a local charity and it’s always been close to our heart. We’re very proud of him.
“My dad had Covid over Christmas. He was in Forth Valley Royal Hospital and came out absolutely brand new.
“He then felt low, and we were wondering wondering what to do. I saw the Captain Tom challenge. My dad said he could walk up the street 100 times.
“I said he should follow his passion so we went up to the golf club and he was practising for ten days.
“He aimed to make £100 because he said people haven’t got the money these days.”
Originally from Alloa, Donald took to the sport in his 20s and moved his family to Grangemouth when he became a founding member of the town’s golf club in the 1970s.
He was once a juniors coach at Grangemouth Golf Club and now has four granddaughters, a grandson and five great-granddaughters.
Evelyn added: “My dad’s grateful to everybody who donated and hopes it can help people at the hospice.”
Claire Kennedy, the hospice’s community fundraiser, said: “We are so very grateful to Donald for choosing to take on this challenge in aid of Strathcarron, inspired by Captain Tom.
“To date, Donald has raised more than £3000 which can cover the cost of 129 hours of specialist nursing care for people living with a life-limiting illness within the hospice itself, as well as in people's own homes and the community.
“We send our huge thanks and very best wishes to Donald for supporting and raising awareness of our work.”
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