'COURAGEOUS' CHARITY CHAMP SANDY DIES, 60

12:00 - 16 January 2008



A champion charity fundraiser has died aged 60.

Former Ballater Golf Club secretary Sandy Barclay was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2002.

The former submariner devoted the remaining years of his life to raising cash for various causes, also becoming the Aberdeenshire chairman of the Scottish Motor Neuron Disease Association.



His wife of 36 years, Lindsay, said: "We didn't talk about battling the condition because we knew it could not be beaten. But Sandy showed huge courage and determination as he lived with the illness."

He died at Aboyne Hospital last Thursday.

Although born in Ballater, Sandy was brought up in Aberdeen. After leaving Northfield Academy, the 15-year-old joined the Royal Navy, spending a total of 30 years in the service.

Much of that time was as a submariner on a succession of vessels including the Polaris.

When he left the navy 15 years ago the Barclays moved back to Ballater and Sandy became secretary of the town's golf club in 1994.

The couple have daughter Leanne, 36, son Scott, 34, and four-year-old grand-daughter Kerryn. The funeral is at Glenmuick Church on Friday.