Alex Galloway raises more than £5,000 in memory of brother

Alex Galloway, who is visually impaired following the strokes, was joined at North Berwick’s Glen Golf Club last month for the challenge, dubbed the ‘3 Stroke Challenge’, by friends Alan Macdonald, Steve Herkes and Danny King.

Originally from Gullane, Alex now lives on Lochbridge Road, North Berwick, with wife Irene.

The 61-year-old was raising money for Stepping Out, a mental health charity based in the town which had helped his late brother Johnny.

Johnny struggled with his mental health for most of his life. He received professional help at the former Herdmanflat Hospital in Haddington and also attended Stepping Out.

He passed away in November 2004.

Alex said: “The challenge was all about Johnny; I miss him every day.

“His loss and what happened never leaves you.”

And to help raise money for Stepping Out, Alex decided to complete 18 holes of golf, his first with sight loss.

Completing it was a massive physical challenge – Alex had three strokes in 48 hours in 2018 and is still dealing with the aftereffects.

He fell ill in Germany, where he had attended university and lived for five years while teaching English.

He was on holiday at the Danish border visiting friends when he suffered two minor strokes, then a third while in hospital.

He spent two and a half months in hospital in Germany and Edinburgh, and was left partially blind.

He can only see about 15 yards in front of him and out of half of his left eye; his vision in his right eye is blurry. He also had to learn to walk again.

Alex taking a swing on the 12th tee

In addition, he is only able to play up to five holes at a time – but this challenge saw him play his first round of golf in three years.

He said he was “excited” leading up to the challenge and glad to be cleaning off his golf clubs and shoes again.

He dedicated the challenge to Johnny and added: “My playing partners played well and encouraged me at every turn.

“I hit some very good shots and the odd sclaff, but never lost the joy of being in the moment.

“There were one or two wobbles as I recalled Johnny and myself playing so many rounds together at the Glen but I am pleased to say I completed 18 and then had a couple of beers outside the clubhouse. I then headed home to sleep for 14 hours; my legs were sore for a few days afterwards.

“I’ve had such amazing support and messages from people in Gullane – most of them still remember Johnny.

“People from Australia and Germany have also donated money. It’s been fantastic.”

Alex also thanked the Glen Golf Club, East Lothian Council welfare rights team and Stepping Out for all their assistance.

There are plans for another, bigger challenge next year but they are being kept under wraps.

Mental health, Alex explained, was an important issue to him.

He said: “We have never been more in need of locally accessible support for our loved ones; mental health services in East Lothian are today even more poorly resourced than they were 17 years ago.

“The 3 Stroke Challenge won’t bring my brother back, but it will – through Stepping Out – offer hope and support to local people to carry on through the darkness and move towards a life less plagued by mental anguish.”