Back in July, LETAS player Tara Mactaggart received devastating news. Her mum and sometimes tour caddy Claire was diagnosed with MND.
Mactaggart, who has had three top-10 finishes on tour, inspiringly finished out her season with her mother and dad often watching in a buggy alongside.
In true LETAS spirit, Mactaggart’s close friend on tour Sarah Gee knew she wanted to do something to help.
One crazy but brilliant voice note idea later, Gee decided to put in place a charity challenge, to ‘Drive fore MND’.
The plan was to match the distance from her mum’s Norfolk birthplace to Hawick, where the Mactaggart’s live, 338 miles and 594,880 yards.
Last Monday at Ashkirk Driving range, the goal was accomplished in six hours with Tara’s dad and LETAS caddy Stuart hitting the opening drive while her mum Claire inspiringly made the final putt to cross the line.
Speaking about the day, Mactaggart said: “The day was a huge success, and we raised over £10,000 for MND Scotland and The Name’5 Doddie Foundation.”
Before the big event, many LETAS players sent in videos of them hitting big drives to help contribute to the overall total. A testament to tour comradery.
She continued: “I really want to thank all the LETAS girls for their incredible support over this year for me and my family. The videos were a reminder that we are not alone, and we are truly overwhelmed by the love and support.
“The one thing this disease has given us is precious time to spend with my mum and she is just living each day as it comes for as long as that may be and we are doing everything we can to keep her smiling through each day.“
Last Monday, LETAS players Hannah McCook, Sarah Gee, Louise Duncan, Gabrielle MacDonald, Lorna McClymont and ex-player Jordan Ryan all headed to Hawick to give their support.
Mactaggart added: “Our challenge would have not been possible without Sarah Gee’s amazing idea, and it is all thanks to her caring so much about me and my family to organise something like that.
“I’m so thankful to have such special people around me who give so much support in the hardest time of my life.”
You can still donate to this amazing cause and help families like the Mactaggart’s with more funds for MND research here.
