University hosts Sir Alex Ferguson golf fundraiser for students from deprived backgrounds

SirAlexGolf

Sir Alex Ferguson CBE will host a golf day and gala dinner to raise funds for students joining Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) from some of the most marginalised backgrounds.

The event will be held today (August 18) at the Carrick Golf Course and Cameron House, and has been generously supported by headline sponsor Kelvin Properties and Gala Dinner sponsor Optical Express. It will feature special guests who have worked with, or played for, Sir Alex, in conversation with him as he discusses why he has always been passionate about nurturing young players throughout his career, and why he continues to provide opportunities to young people through his role as Founding Donor at GCU.

Sir Alex will be joined by a number of celebrity golfers to raise funds providing vital financial assistance for students coming to study at GCU from some of the most disadvantaged communities at home, and further afield. Among those joining Sir Alex will be former Manchester United full back and now pundit, Gary Neville; former Celtic forward John Hartson; and BBC presenter Eilidh Barbour.

Sir Alex has personally donated more than £700,000 to the University, which has supported more than 300 students to date through scholarships and access to life-changing opportunities, as well as helping to launch the University’s award-winning MINT Programme (Mentoring, Internships, Networking and Talks), which has helped to boost employability for thousands of students in the wake of the pandemic.

Sir Alex said: “I am delighted to continue to work with Glasgow Caledonian University, a university that gives opportunities to all, no matter what their background.

“Every time I go there, and I meet all the young people, you see the different personalities and characters, but, overall, you see they are thriving on the opportunity of being supported. It is amazing how society today has such a large percentage of young people suffering, and that is what inspires me to do what I can for the Glasgow Caledonian University Foundation.”

Through this event, the University wants to raise funds to provide even more students with that opportunity.

Jillian Watt, Director of the Glasgow Caledonian University Foundation, said: “We are honoured to have Sir Alex, a hugely respected football and business leader around the world as our Founding Donor. His support has played a critical role in ensuring talented students, regardless of their financial or social background, can access life changing educational opportunities at GCU.  During the past seven years he has helped to change the lives of over 300 students providing them with the means, confidence and inspiration to reach their full potential.”

Professor Pamelor Gillies CBE, Vice-Chancellor at Glasgow Caledonian University, said: “We are delighted our long-term partnership with Sir Alex Ferguson continues to deliver unique and exciting opportunities for so many of our students. With more than 23% of our students coming from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, the Golf Day and Gala Dinner will raise vital funds for our students being hit hardest by the cost of living crisis. We are extremely grateful to Sir Alex for his continued support of our students and his generosity.”

Although the event is sold out, those not attending can still show their support by taking part in the online auction, which gives staff, alumni, donors and friends of GCU an opportunity to win prizes including:

  • Handwritten song lyrics by GCU Chancellor, Annie Lennox
  • Limited edition handmade leather golf shoes by Sounder X Grenson
  • 2 VIP Celtic Football Club directors' box seats and hospitality
  • 2 VIP Rangers Football Club directors' box seats and hospitality
  • Life changing laser eye surgery up to the value of £6,000 at Optical Express
  • VIP BoyzLife package: meet popstars Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden
  • Kings Theatre VIP Panto experience: meet the stars Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac

The auction will raise funds to support our students. Some 23% of our undergraduate students come from disadvantaged areas (compared to a sector average of 16.7%), meaning a higher percentage of our students are facing increasing financial challenges in the cost of living crisis.

The full list of special guests taking part in the golf day is as follows:

Gordon Smith

Archie Knox

Vicky Wright

John Hartson

James McFadden

Eilidh Barbour

Kenny Miller

Eve Muirhead

Gordon Duncan

Mark Wilson

Gary Caldwell

Neil McCann

Shaun Maloney

Dougie Vipond

Jordan Young

Murdo McLeod

Tam McManus