The loved ones of a “pillar of the Mearns farming community” have raised more than £60,000 in his honour following his death from cancer.
Graeme Gauld, who was just 39 when he died in July, was the youngest partner of Stonehaven-based family-run livestock haulage firm Alexander Gauld.
He was diagnosed with stomach cancer last August and received treatment in the Anchor Unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
After his diagnosis, his family and colleagues decided to raise funds for Friends of Anchor – and yesterday celebrated amassing a total of £61,449.56.
His family and friends gathered in Stonehaven to commemorate the vast total and remember the well-known Mearns figure.
Mr Gauld’s wife, Laura, and daughter, Isla helped spearhead the effort.
Mrs Gauld said: “Graeme was truly humbled by all the support we received, and that support gave him a much needed boost in the toughest of days.
“I am incredibly proud of Graeme, what he achieved in his life, and how he dealt his illness right to the end – which was with bravery and dignity.
“Most of all, I am proud of how much love he had for Isla and me, a love which extended to our family and his many, many friends.”
“I want to say a massive thank you to all who made the fundraiser happen, all Graeme’s staff, family and friends and to all who donated money, raffles and silent auction items.”
The fundraising efforts swung into action at the Angus Show in June, with a tombola, lucky squares, and a silent auction featuring dozens of star prizes.
Thousands of pounds were donated in the first 48 hours and that figure quickly rose to tens of thousands.
Neill Davidson works at Alexander Gauld, and got his moustache shaved off at the Angus Show to add to the tally.
He said: “The staff all got together and rallied to do what we could.
“Graeme was terrific – he was more than a boss, he was a true friend.
“Since next week is 25 years since the company was launched it all feels particularly poignant.”
Erica Banks, of Friends of Anchor, added: “Graeme was certainly a pillar of the local farming community.
“Thanks to full charity sponsorship from Balmoral, we can assure everyone who supported the Gauld fundraising efforts that every penny donated will go directly to the cause, helping to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of Anchor Unit patients now and in the future.”
The final fundraising totals – released yesterday – show that £61,000 was raised for Friends of Anchor, £2,167 for Roxburghe House and £4,333 for The Sunrise Partnership.
