BALLINGRY man Derek Ritchie is hoping that a venture being organised by him this May will raise a significant sum of money for the Erskine Hospital Fund.

Derek, who is a member of the RASC/RCT Association which meets at Rosyth Ex-Servicemen's Club, has organised a golf event planned for Saturday May 13 at Cowdenbeath's Dora Course.

Said Derek, who served with the TA at its Elgin Street base in Dunfermline: "I am hoping that we will be able to get 25 teams of four players and already we have upwards of 18 teams booked in to play.

"The Fife Golf Trust and Cowdenbeath Golf Club have been tremendously supportive and it is set to be a great day."

Derek has been busily organising prize draw prizes and has had pledges from Rangers, Celtic, Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline Athletic and he is hoping to get a good number in over the coming weeks.

Added Derek: "It would be good if companies from the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area would like to sponsor a hole for the day or back the event in any way.

"We are not setting targets but hopefully we can raise a big sum for what is a very good cause which looks after ex-service people."

If anyone would like to back the event in any way they can contact Derek on derekritchie141@hotmail.co.uk