Barfly: Alan Biggar's wheeler (art) dealing

Published on Saturday 10 May 2008 14:26

BARFLY is pleased to report that Alan Biggar, the Bell Lawrie director who is planning to drive his 50-year-old Morgan around all 39 of the firm's UK offices next month, is busy recruiting some of Scotland's leading artists to back the cause.

Biggar is raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust after one of his colleagues, Sharon King, lost her only child, Zoe, to the illness in September.

After signing up artist John Bellany, Biggar has now tackled John Lowrie Morrison (Jolomo), who will also donate a painting. "His son got married last year, and Charles Morgan laid on a Morgan to drive away from the reception," says Biggar. "When I saw Jolomo at his exhibition in Glasgow, I told him his paintings are wonderful, and they are, but that Morgans are also works of art. Pleased to say he agreed!"

The painting will be auctioned in December.

MSP gives Jambos a sporting chance

AT an SPL reception in the garden lobby of the Scottish Parliament hosted by league sponsor Clydesdale Bank, MSP Margo MacDonald was not afraid to wear her colours on her sleeve. She proudly donned her Hibs scarf, but said that even Jambos may be allowed to attend the cross-party sports group that she chairs.

And she didn't hesitate to put Steve Reid, Clydesdale's retail director, in his place. When MacDonald asked him what had happened to the fair play award the bank has promised, Reid replied that it was being looked at for next year. In response, she quipped: "Being looked at for next year? You would get on well with Alex Salmond."

The SPL cup was also proudly on display, but Barfly was pleased to see it locked safely in its case at the end of the evening.

mform masochists love their Callander whirl

EAMONN Rice, chief executive of Edinburgh mortgage firm mform, is clearly a glutton for punishment. After enduring the Rob Roy Challenge in aid of charity in 2007, he's signed up for the gruelling event again this year. Rice is currently in training for the 16-mile hike from Drymen to Callander, followed by 39 undulating miles on a bike all the way to Kenmore at the head of Loch Tay.

But it's all in a good cause. Last year, his team of five raised 6,359 for Cancer Relief. This year two teams from mform are raising money for the Martin Currie Charitable Trust.

Rice said: "It is truly amazing how quickly things come round once more. It seems like only a few weeks back that the team from mform collapsed into their silver foil insulating blankets and then limped up with fixed grins to collect their commemorative medals for completing the 2007 challenge."

To sponsor the teams go to: www.justgiving.com/mform2008.