In what is hoped will become an annual event, the Scottish and Northern Charolais Club and British Simmental Cattle Society are staging a Charity Social Night at Blairdrummond Hall, Blairdrummond, on the evening of Saturday, February 17 – the night before the second batch of Stirling Bull Sales is due to commence

Initially, the event was organised to raise money for a motorised wheelchair for 16-year-old James Fordyce, who is severely handicapped and lives with his parents Colin and Irene Fordyce, at Strathisla Farms, Alyth.

However, such has been the overwhelming response to the club and society's fundraising campaign that James, who has undergone in the region 100 operations after being diagnosed with a serious of complex medical conditions since birth, was able to get his new wheelchair for Christmas.

James, who has cerebral palsy, is confined to a wheelchair, is profoundly deaf and can’t speak, also has dystonia, a neurological condition that causes muscle spasms and repetitive movements similar to tremors. As a result, the charity night is looking to raise money to enable the family to adapt the current house surroundings, ensuring that James is not only safe at all times but that he and his family can enjoy life a bit better.

Not surprisingly, next month's social night which includes a charity auction, Scottish ceilidh band and evening meal of stovies, puddings and wine, is presently sold out and already has a waiting list. Those still keen to attend, however are advised to get in touch with Carlene Mackay, secretary of the Scottish and Northern Charolais Club on 07713 946 865 or carlene.mackay@abpbeef.com

There is also a vast array of auction prizes well worth considering and can be bid for that night over the 'phone and a raffle which will run from February until May.

One of the star prizes up for grabs at the auction is a pedigree heifer from Adrian Ivory's prized Strathisla Simmental herd, where James' father, Colin is stockman.

Strathisla Ingrids Geraldine, a March 2017-born ET heifer is bred from one of the top females in the herd being out of Strathisla Geraldine 10, a cow that has already produced three first prize winners at the Highland Show. Ingrids Geraldine is sired by the 22,000gns Omorga Samson, which has bred several top bulls for the Strathisla herd which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year with the first ever draft sale of pedigree Simmental females from the herd at the February Bull Sales.

Other donated gifts up for auction to date, include a four person corporate day at Manchester United; butchers hamper; matured carvery rib roasts; Charolais and Simmental society jackets; a night's dinner, bed and breakfast at Greens Hotel, Gretna, along with numerous other bottles of whisky, and straws of semen.

*The Lennox – Stewart Memorial Challenge Bonspiel, at Dewars Ice Rink at Perth, tomorrow (Sunday, January 14), also aims to become an annual curling competition and charity event, with money being raised for Motoneurone Disease Scotland and Heart Disease Scotland, following the sad deaths of two of the region's top curlers – William Hugh Lennox and Iain David Young Stewart.

Bill, formerly of East Kirkton Farm, Auchterarder, was a long standing member of Blackford and Muthill Curling Clubs. A past president of Blackford, Bill also played a significant part in Muthill Curling Club where he was a past secretary. He was also an honorary life member of both clubs having skipped many rinks in both clubs.

Outside of curling, Bill was a successful farmer and enjoyed golf and shooting.

Iain, formerly of Drumlochy Farm, Blackford, was also a long standing member of Blackford and Muthill Curling Clubs and a recent past secretary of Blackford. A winner of Muthill’s points competition, he led many Muthill Club teams in the club league.

Outside of curling, Iain enjoyed Clydesdale horses.

The event, which kicks off at 10am with the curling competition concludes with a raffle and charity auction at 3.30pm and bonspiel prize giving at 4pm. Again, there are some very generous donations which can be bid for to include a family spa day for five at Gleneagles Hotel; a 30 bird driven shoot at Strathallan Estate for nine guns; Olympic signed shirt from the mens' medal winning rugby team and a handy man for a day.

Donations can be made after the event by emailing charity@muthillcurlingclub.co.uk