SUNDERLAND LEGENDS GRACE FUNDRAISER IN MEMORY OF BLACK CATS’ FAN

Every year, since 2010, the friends and family of Kevin Outhwaite from Tunstall have held a very special golf day in his memory to raise funds for our Foundation.

Kevin’s Dad, John, brother, Ian, and nephews, Nathan, Jake and Luke, come together with friends to play golf and to remember the avid Sunderland fan, who was just 36 when he died from skin cancer in 2010.

More than anyone, Kevin, who followed his beloved Sunderland home and away, would have been thrilled to know that two Black Cats’ legends were among the supporters of this year’s event.

FA Cup winning captain, Bobby Kerr, and European Golden Boot winner, Kevin Phillips, surprised golfers by attending as guests of Sunderland Fan’s Museum founder, Michael Ganley.

The pair joined Lady Elsie in thanking the Outhwaite family for their fantastic fundraising in Kevin’s memory.

Bobby Kerr, a director at the Fan’s Museum, says: “What an amazing day we’ve all had and what an amazing event Kevin’s family and friends have created.

“Although my golfing days are behind me, being able to ride around in the buggy meeting everyone was such a joy. And the importance of supporting a worthy cause like this can’t be underestimated.”

Andy Oliver, Kevin Outhwaite’s friend, plays a key role in organising the golf day at Ramside Hall, Durham, every year and knows how much Bobby and Kevin’s support for the event would have meant to his friend.

Andy says: “Kev would have been absolutely over the moon knowing Bobby and Kevin had come to his golf day. He was a massive Sunderland fan; all the family are. In fact, going to the match is one of the times we miss him the most.

“We had almost 100 golfers this year and it was a great surprise for them having Bobby and Kevin along.

“Lady Elsie was kind enough to come to thank us and wish us all well, once again, and Bobby and Kevin presented the prizes at the end. It makes such a difference knowing how much our efforts in Kev’s memory are appreciated.”

A plumber with Gentoo, Kevin Outhwaite was himself a fundraiser for our Foundation and, even when he was poorly, organised a hugely successful dinner dance at the Roker Hotel. It was his way of saying thank you for the cancer care he received within the NHS in both Durham and Newcastle.

Kevin Phillips, an Ambassador of the Fan’s Museum, says: “The Fan’s Museum has one main purpose and that’s to engage with the football community, regionally and nationally.

“And what we do can also bring so much purpose and support to the likes of Kevin’s annual golf day. To help his family and friends who have made this event happen is what it’s all about. We all had an amazing day and I’m very proud we were able to be part of things.”