Golf day to raise funds for Scott Morris and MND Association

A charity golf event aims to support a fundraising campaign in reaching its six-figure target, helping to create more special moments for a Worcestershire rugby star with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Scott Morris, 44, was diagnosed with MND in June 2023 after noticing a twitching in his right arm and heavy feeling in his legs.

Prior to his diagnosis, he was a fit, healthy, 43-year-old husband with three young children, and since his diagnosis Scott has committed to raising awareness of MND.

At the same time his good friend Martin Lakeman, who captained the Bromsgrove RFC Veterans team which Scott played for, has been raising funds to help Scott make more special memories.

The fundraising campaign has raised more than £73,000 to date, smashing the initial £50,000 goal and leading to a new target being set of £100,000.

It is in conjunction with the MND Association, with 80 per cent of any donation directly to Scott and his family, and the remaining 20 per cent to the charity.

The Stratford Park Hotel & Golf Club, which is on Ingon Lane in Stratford-upon-Avon, will be hosting a charity golf day on Friday, July 5 as the fundraising continues.

Scott was also a semi-professional footballer and turned out on the football pitch for teams in Malvern, Pershore, Stourport and Worcester.

The charity golf day on the 18-hole Par 72 course at The Stratford Park will see rugby players and football players go head-to-head in a Ryder Cup style tournament.

It will bring together Scott’s friends from both sports, with 36 golfers on each team and additional challenges on the day to raise money, for example Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive competitions.

Martin Lakeman said: “Once Scott was diagnosed, I knew I wanted to help. We set up the fundraising page to help raise money to support Scott to create memories, because ultimately, he really doesn’t know how long he has got and he needs to savour every day.

“We’ve done everything from rugby matches, football matches and golf tournaments, through to bake sales, lunch events and racing nights to raise money. The golf day at The Stratford Park is the latest of those events and will bring together people who know Scott from both of the sports he loved to play.

“So far, we’ve been able to help Scott tick off numerous things from his bucket list, including a trip to Euro Disney and a visit to Las Vegas. Scott is one of life’s good guys, he is an amazing individual. He is already in a wheelchair, he may have lost his independence, but what he hasn’t lost is his spirit.

“He said he ‘wants to live everyday empowering hope with unbreakable spirit’ and he is smashing that. We’re looking forward to the event at The Stratford Park to keep driving forward our fundraising to raise as much as we can for this incredible person, his family and to support others with MND.”

Beverley Haynes, General Manager at The Stratford Park Hotel & Golf Club, said: “We’re proud to be able to host this event and to play a part in supporting the fundraising for Scott, his family and the MND Association.

“Through my personal involvement with Bromsgrove RFC, I have seen first hand how the whole community has come together to support Scott. The club are looking for additional sponsors to propel fundraising on the day and I would urge everyone to dig deep to show their support for this important cause.”

Bromsgrove RFC are seeking to generate further sponsorship to boost fundraising at the golf day, to support contact Martin Lakeman on martinlakeman15@hotmail.com

To donate to support Scott Morris and the MND, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/scotty-morris