Golden wedding is our triumph over adversity

Published on Thursday 7 July 2011 11:48

DREW and Morag McFarlane have celebrated their golden wedding and helped raise cash for a good cause.

The couple from Rosewell were surprised by family and friends on June 26 with a wedding anniversary party to celebrate their 50 years of marriage despite all the hardships they've face together.

Their milestone anniversary is all the more impressive given that the family had to face some grim news two years ago as Drew, 72, battled prostate cancer.

The cancer was detected during a routine examination at their doctor's surgery and the couple's daughter Julie said her father was "dumbstruck with fright" when they told him what was wrong.

She added: "However, with support and encouragement from family and friends he came out the other end and has since had the cancer removed".

The cancer made the couple want to raise awareness and money for Prostate Cancer Scotland and they requested that friends and family donate to the charity rather than give gifts to celebrate the wedding anniversary.

They have raised more than 1000 for the charity which promotes awareness about the disease which is the most common cancer among men in Scotland, with one in two men affected by it at some point in their lives.

The couple met in 1958 when they were both still teenagers through Drew's cousin, who happened to be Morag's best friend and romance bloomed.

They eventually married on June 26, 1961, at the Tinto Hotel in Symington and later had four children Andrew, Julie, Sandy and David.

Originally living in Glasgow, the couple moved to Rosewell 40 years ago when Drew got a managerial post at Niddrie Brickworks before going into semi-retirement as a part-time technician at Edinburgh Arts College. He is now a keen gardener and walker.

Morag, 71, worked as a care assistant at St Joseph's Hospital before her retirement and is still an active member of Rosewell Parish Church.

The couple suffered another blow last year when their home on Carnethie Street was gutted in a fire, forcing them into temporary accommodation for three months.

But despite all this they said they could not be happier or have been more delighted with their surprise party. They also said they were extremely thankful to their family and friends who made their special day so wonderful and were incredibly grateful for all the kind donations that Prostate Cancer Scotland has received on their behalf.

Daughter Julie said: "It was like their wedding day all over again.

"Mum and Dad have been through a lot, so it was especially pleasing to celebrate their golden wedding."