A CUMNOCK fundraising legend has confessed to leaving his wife alone in a hotel room on their anniversary in his latest charity quest.

Craigens-based Derek Montgomery has become synonymous in the area for his charitable efforts, which he has been carrying out for more than a decade.

The humble lorry driver set out on his mission to help others after to losing both his brother and father to cancer.

His first charitable effort was the Glasgow Half Marathon, which he completed for Cancer Research UK in 2010.

Since then he has made it his mission to give back to similar causes supporting those battling the disease.

He set out with the goal of running 10 London Marathons in a row...a mission he accomplished in 2021.

 

But he didn't stop there, and has continued raising cash for local and national good causes ever since.

In fact, Just last week he handed over £2,335 to the Ayrshire Hospice charity.

 

Knowing where the loyalties of many of the area's football supporters lie, Derek has secured a long list of fantastic raffle prizes from both Rangers and Celtic - and years of enthusiastic support from the people of Cumnock and the wider East Ayrshire area have kept the money coming in for his good causes.

Cumnock Chronicle: Derek with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

But he also revealed how one particular mission, to snag signed memorabilia from Rangers boss Philippe Clement, left him with a fair bit of explaining and making up to do.

It happened during a weekend break with wife Sharon in Glasgow last October - when the 53-year-old left Sharon in her hotel room to go autograph hunting.

He explained: "I saw online that the new Rangers manager was flying into Glasgow on the Sunday afternoon, so I printed off some photos in the city centre and walked a couple of miles to Ibrox.

"I hung around for two hours by myself, and the next thing I saw was the police escort for Philippe Clement.

"He chatted away for a couple of minutes and signed my photos before going inside, although it took a bit of making up to do with the other half!"

Cumnock Chronicle: Derek with Rangers manager Philippe Clement.

Derek's charity work is now taking a back seat, at least for a wee while, following the birth of his second grandchild earlier this year.

Baby Noah was born in February and the little brother of big sister Olivia now takes up time for the trucker - though Derek says he hopes to return to raising cash for good causes soon.

Cumnock Chronicle: Derek with his grandchildren.

He commented: "Ayrshire Hospice has a fundraiser in a few weeks which will see Gordon Strachan, Terry Butcher, Martin O'Neill and Arthur Numan amongst the top celebrity ex-footballers attending a Night At The Euros at Ayr Racecourse to raise funds for the Hospice. 

"I'm helping the Hospice gather some top raffle prizes, so I've been busy with that side of things, and I've already spoken to Rangers captain James Tavernier and former Celtic captain and Ayr manager Scott Brown, who have been more than happy to help."

Derek also has a fundraising website where donations can be made to Ayrshire Hospice ahead of that event, taking place at the racecourse on Friday, April 26.

The online appeal can be found online at justgiving.com/page/angel2023-24.