A PRESTWICK man who lost his sister to motor neurone disease has helped raise over £5,000 for charity less than a month after her death.
Colin Risk, 58, set up a marathon round of golf from dusk till dawn in memory of Helen Oliver (Risk) who died peacefully at her home on July 13, aged 56.
This week, he paid tribute to his wonderful younger sister who bravely battled the devastating illness for three years.
Colin told the Advertiser: “My sister was diagnosed with MND three and a half years ago in February 2017.
“She kept it close to her own circle of friends.She stayed through in Fife but she was brought up in Prestwick all the family are from here. We only got to share it with the world towards the end of last year.
“With MND there’s no hope, it’s a terrible disease.”
“This year she really started to decline - her husband Calum was her full time carer.”
Helen, a former teacher, helped raise money for MND Scotland, who provided her with specialist nurses.
She rubbed shoulders with former Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir who was diagnosed around the same time as her.
Her life was spent exploring countries with her husband of 33 years Calum Oliver, with the pair regularly raising money for charities.
Colin said: “She was a wonderful person. She was a primary school teacher that’s where set met Calum they got married and moved to Aberdeen.
“Within a year they took themselves to the Bahamas to work as teachers. She then returned to work at Falkirk college as a lecturer.
“She was so full of life, energetic and kept herself fit. It seems to be favourite of MND, it strikes down relatively fit people.”
On Friday, August 21, Colin was joined by Calum for the marathon round golf.
Starting at 5.30am and finishing just before 9pm at night they played around St Nicholas where Colin is a member, St Cuthbert’s and the historic Old Prestwick course. The group was completed by Arran Cameron and Bob McCalister.
Colin said: “It was amazing walking onto the course at 5.30am to tee off,. It was good fun although we lost a lot of golf balls and got drenched at one point.
“It felt like a little bit of closure on everything.”
Colin has been overwhelmed by the £5,491 raised.
He added: “MND Scotland were just terrific for her. They got specialists nurses in through NHS Fife who looked after Helen, she described them angels
“The fundraiser is closed now but I urge anyone to donate to the amazing charity and we can hopefully one day beat this horrible illness.”
You can make a donation here.
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