Come Ashore Cup memorial event set to raise over £14,000
Last weekend’s Come Ashore Cup, run by Caithness Rugby Club, is set to net more than £14,000 for two mental health and wellbeing charities.
The memorial event centred on an annual challenge match between Caithness and Orkney but expanded this year to include a two-day programme of diverse social, sporting and agricultural activities.
Club president Frank Bremner said: “We broadened its reach this year to outwith the rugby and farming communities.
“It is just blossoming in every direction and we once again got tremendous support from local people. It’s now very much established as an annual fixture.”
Mr Bremner said the club was very grateful to the main sponsor, contractor Graeme Mackay, from Buldoo, and other backers.
The total netted by the event has still to be finalised but Mr Bremner reckoned it would be between £14,000 and 15,000.
The proceeds are to be split between Farmstrong Scotland and Befriending Caithness.
The challenge match was inaugurated in memory of former rugby player and farmer Alexander Mill, who died in 2021.
It involves over-35s from Caithness and Orkney. Caithness Evergreens took the honours this year, racking up a 40-14 win against Orkney Vikings to reclaim the Come Ashore Cup.
Visitors were able to take selfies in the Millbank clubhouse of the Calcutta Cup and the Doddie Weir Cup which were on display along with the National Plate, won recently by Caithness Krakens.
The Krakens retained the Caithness Sevens title after defeating a combined Grangemouth/Howe of Fife side in the final.
It joins the Orkney Sevens Cup and the National Plate in the club trophy case.
