Norman Irwin (left) congratulates charity golf competition winner Paul Weir

Paul Weir, a past chairman of the Grammarians, has won a charity tournament which raised much-needed funds for two Pancreatic Cancer organisations, NIPanC and PCUK. Norman Irwin, treasurer of the Grammarians, hosted the event in memory of his wife, Elizabeth, who died from pancreatic cancer in August 2017.
The sold-out tournament was held at Bangor Golf Club. Fifty-two golfers took part and all 120 tickets (the maximum number) were sold for the dinner which took place afterwards.
Over 250 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Northern Ireland each year. Sadly, the majority of those diagnosed will have it detected too late for surgery, which offers the only possibility for a cure, and most will die within a year. Less than 5% of people with pancreatic cancer will survive beyond five years in the UK. Charities Pancreatic Cancer UK and NIPanC are taking on the disease through research, support and campaigning to transform the future for people affected.
Norman explained: “Liz was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015. Before her diagnosis, she was the picture of health. She was physically fit, ate well, was a lifelong teetotaller and never smoked. Her diagnosis was a real shock to us all. Many of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are easy to miss or disregard. There needs to be more public awareness of this awful disease and its symptoms.
“All 52 golfers who took part in the tournament knew Elizabeth and the amount of local support I received for the tournament was incredible,” he added.
Feherty Travel and phone repair specialists ubreakirepair Ltd., both local businesses, sponsored the event. Several more firms from the area provided generous prizes for the ballot.
Roger Lightbody and Clive Briggs, both former chairmen of the Grammarians, came second and third respectively.