Golfing challenge in memory of Callum
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THE memory of fun-loving teenager Callum Tweedie has motivated four family members to attempt a marathon golfing challenge.
Callum died on January 30 last year, just 12 days after his 18th birthday, following a brave battle against cancer and other health problems.
His dad Alexander, uncles Gordon and Colin and his brother-in-law Scott Shearer, will play four rounds of golf on the same day.
The quartet will tee off on Friday, June 17, at 6am, on the Moray Old Course, before playing the new course at Lossiemouth, followed by Garmouth and finishing at Rothes.
His mum, Jane, and sister, Kerri-Ann, will be providing meals on
Alexander and Gordon Tweedie.
wheels and driving the golfers between courses.
Callum played all four courses during better health and the day will be in his memory, but will also raise money to enable Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and Crohn’s in Childhood Research Association further the fight against the cruel diseases that robbed him of his teenage years and ultimately his life.
Mum Jane said: "Our main motivation for this fund-raising event is to try, in some small way, to fund research in the hope that developments will be made which will mean that other families in the future do not have to endure the pain of losing a child to lymphoma or Crohn’s disease.
"Losing a child, no matter how old that child may be, must be the most unnatural thing any parent has to bear."
She revealed how Callum’s sense of fun kept the family going through some difficult times as he battled with his Crohn’s disease and latterly cancer.
"Callum’s sense of humour helped everyone throughout the dark days and at Hallowe’en he had nurses in fits of laughter when one of them went to check his temperature and the arm came away in her hand.
"He had planted a fake arm, obtained with the help of his sister Kerri-Ann, under the bed sheet," she said.
Callum, a pupil at Speyside High School, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in August 2006, aged 14, and for the next few years he coped with numerous spells in Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and various medical investigations and treatments.
Unfortunately, his extreme weight loss and health problems meant he no longer had enough stamina to enjoy playing his beloved football but he was an avid fan and visited matches with his father, including Hearts games and a Manchester United game at Old Trafford.
Following emergency surgery in February 2008, things seemed to improve and he was able to play golf again at Rothes, where he was a junior member.
The family thought that Callum’s health had turned a corner and, although he continued to need medication, he was able to attend school regularly and was starting to gain enough confidence to embark on a "normal teenage life", said Jane.
However, his health started to deteriorate again in late March 2009, and he was unable to attend a fund-raising concert the family had organised, which raised £5,100 for the Archie Foundation, the official charity of the children’s hospital.
Fund-raising by Alexander’s work colleagues at The Macallan Distillery, by Craigellachie, where he is production manager, raised over £400 for Crohn’s research.
"In July 2009 Callum was diagnosed as having a very rare form of T-cell lymphoma," said his mum, "and further complications arose with kidney failure and swine flu, which meant he required dialysis and was placed in isolation."
For several weeks his family were unable to visit him, and the only contact they had was by telephone and via Skype.
On the day the higher exam results arrived, Callum’s dad Alexander was permitted to visit and travelled to Aberdeen with Callum’s result envelope. Unfortunately his mother Jane had possible swine flu symptoms and had to remain at home. Callum had attained four good Higher passes and phoned his mum to let her know.
Once clear of her symptoms his mum was able to spend time with Callum after being provided a room at the hospital by the Archie Foundation.
Unfortunately the lymphoma failed to respond to treatments and on January 2, 2010 was re-admitted with a chest infection. His health deteriorated rapidly and he was unable to leave hospital for his 18th birthday.
The following day, Callum discussed his situation with his medical team and they agreed that he could return home.
"He was so pleased to get home to his own bed and space," said Jane, "and his sister Kerri-Ann and her fiancé Scott travelled back from Aberdeen to spend time with him." Callum died early on January 30 at home, as he had wanted, close to his family.
Donations at his funeral amounted to over £3,000 for CICRA and The Archie Foundation, and since then the family and friends have raised in excess of a further £3,000 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and CICRA.
The golfers are seeking sponsorship for their challenge and have also arranged competitions with a prize of Macallan 1876 replica bottle for the nearest guess to the total number of strokes taken by all four golfers.
There is also a prize of Highland Park St Magnus bottle for the nearest guess to the total time taken to complete all four rounds (excluding travel).
Anyone who would like to sponsor Alexander, Gordon, Colin or Scott can contact Alexander or Jane Tweedie on 01340 871515.
