Carling to back McLaren awards night

It is not the former Grand Slam-winning England captain, who suffered at the hands of Scotland in his time, but the beer of Molson Coors who have stepped in as main sponsor of the new charity event.

The ‘Glasgow Tribute Dinner to the Voice of Rugby’ has been organised in conjunction with the Glasgow Warriors’ awards night and will also raise funds for the Help for Heroes charity, supporting Scottish servicemen seriously injured in the line of duty. It opens up to the public a rare opportunity to celebrate the legacy of the late BBC commentator in the company of the current generation of stars, who are still on track for the RaboDirect PRO12 play-offs.

The event, to be held in the Glasgow Marriott Hotel on Friday 27 April, the eve of Edinburgh’s Heineken Cup semi-final in Dublin, will also bring together Glasgow’s outgoing coach Sean Lineen and a predecessor in the Scotland midfield, Jim Renwick, who are among the speakers.

Lineen said: “Events like these are fantastic for the rugby community because they bring together current players with former players – there will be a few special guests there – and also remembers the character of Bill McLaren and the approach he brought to rugby.

“The fact we can also help to raise some money for charity at the same time is great, and very important I feel. We have recognised charities associated with the club this year as part of our drive into the community across the west of Scotland and had a great time abseiling off Murrayfield Stadium at the weekend to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

“The Bill McLaren Foundation and Help for Heroes are also two fantastic causes that sit extremely well with the traditions and values of rugby and I’m sure the rugby community in Glasgow and the west of Scotland will really get behind the dinner and help raise vital awareness and funds.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, I hope everyone who attends has a great night, in the knowledge that they’ll be doing a lot of good in the process.”

McLaren’s daughter Linda Lawson added: “We’re thrilled there is going to be a tribute dinner in dad’s name in Glasgow in conjunction with Help for Heroes and Glasgow Warriors. We have held a few events in the Borders and Edinburgh but wanted to take the Foundation into the west of Scotland because it is a huge part of Scottish rugby. It promises to be a memorable evening and I hope as many as possible will join us on this very special occasion. As dad would say ‘they’ll be dancing in the streets of Glasgow on 27 April’.”

There are still some tables left at £900 each, or tickets at £90 per head, by contacting John Thorburn of the BMF at: [email protected]