Skip to main content

Language: English / GĂ idhlig

Loading…

Chamber and committees

Orkney RFC and Caithness RFC Inaugural Come Ashore Cup Raises £18,000

  • Submitted by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats.
  • Date lodged: Friday, 18 November 2022
  • Motion reference: S6M-06863

That the Parliament commends Orkney RFC and Caithness RFC for fundraising over £18,000 for two local charities as part of the inaugural "Come Ashore" Cup in memory of Alexander Mill; understands that the over-35s Orkney Vikings and Caithness Evergreens, with support from the Caithness XV, went head-to-head in Thurso on 22 October 2022 in a veterans' game celebrating the life of Alexander Mill, the former Caithness player who died suddenly on his farm in April 2021, and underscoring the importance of mental wellbeing; congratulates the Caithness side, which came out on top against their far north rivals with a final score of 20-5, securing the trophy in the form of a traditional Orkney bridal cog on an engraved Caithness stone base; notes that the cog was presented by Alexander's wife, Norma, to Evergreen's captain, Will Mill, and was followed by a speech from Caithness RFC vice-president, Russell Mill, on the club's message that it's "OK not to be OK"; recognises that the match was attended by more than 600 people and was followed by a grand charity auction for the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution and the John O'Groats Development Trust Playpark Project, which raised an outstanding £12,500; pays tribute to the efforts of all at Caithness RFC in organising what it sees as the pioneering mental wellbeing initiative; believes that the Come Ashore Cup is a fitting legacy to Alexander Mill and will help encourage more men to discuss their mental health, as well as strengthen ties between the two clubs; thanks Scottish Rugby for its support of the inaugural match, and wishes both Caithness RFC and Orkney FRC all the very best for the future.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Donald Cameron, Finlay Carson, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Sharon Dowey, Annabelle Ewing, Pam Gosal, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Bill Kidd, Douglas Lumsden, Fulton MacGregor, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Emma Roddick, Douglas Ross, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance