From Badenoch and Strathspey to Inverness for a 4am tee off!

Badenoch and Strathspey’s favourite delivery man really does deliver - Ian Lines has helped raise no less than £29,000 for the fight against prostate cancer.

“It’s an unbelievable achievement and so satisfying to do,” he told the Strathy as he went about his work this week, delivering for Amazon in his self-employed role.

But in his role as a team golfer he had been part of the incredible Inverness Kings Golf Club fundraising effort for Prostate Cancer UK charity.

The 70 charity golfers raised the astonishig sum at the Big Golf Marathon Race for Prostate Cancer UK.

They were up with the early birdies - and off for an awe-inspiring 4680 holes of golf.

They all started out at 4am to clocked up a combined total walking distance of 2100 km or 3.2 million steps throughout the day, finally completing the last putt at close to 8pm.

As the Strathy previewed, Kings’ captain Andrew Stokes (60) was inspired to create the annual fundraiser after one of his friends was diagnosed and lost his battle.

Then the retired IT worker’s awareness of the perils of the disease led to early diagnosis for himself in March this year, allowing him to get timely treatment and the best possible chance of recovery.

Like the stath’s delivery man Ian, Mr Stokes said he was “thrilled to have gone and done it.

“We had a total of 70 players, 64 aiming for all four rounds along with six other players doing a combination of half marathon and relay-style marathon.

“We are so pleased to say everyone managed to complete the challenge which is an amazing achievement for a very important charity.

“Our cash tally is continuing to rise as we still have cash fundraising to add as well as a race night we are running on Saturday (June 28), at Kings Golf Club, with tickets available behind the bar.

“We are still very hopeful we will reach our target of £40,000 for this year.”

Anyone who would like to contribute can do so on this Just Giving link HERE.

Other golf clubs in the area chipped in with prizes for the teams that played the best, with the overall winners winning a four-ball at Cabot Highland.

The cash will go towards Prostate Cancer UK’s screening programme.

Mr Stokes added: “As with all cancers, the earlier it is found the better the outcome for many people.

“Prostate cancer is still found too late in 30 per cent of men in Scotland who are already at stage four when diagnosed, which very often means there is no cure available.

“As the captain of Kings Golf Club, it makes me immensely proud to see how our club can come together and deliver an event like this and raise so much money for this charity.

Charity fundraiser Ryan Gilmore was enjoying the occasion and full of smiles at 4am!

“As someone recently diagnosed with prostate cancer it was an emotional day, seeing so many put their bodies through the ringer to complete the four rounds.

“The team spirit was phenomenal to witness.

“A huge thanks goes to the club for allowing the course to be used for the full day for this event and also to all members for their understanding.

“Each year the number of people undertaking the challenge has doubled and we start our planning for next year now.

“If any other golf clubs in the area want to start their own challenge next year, we would be very keen to come and talk to them about how it can be achieved together.

“How amazing would it be if we could collaborate here in the Highlands to take it to the next level.”

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