A former Scottish rugby player has died just one day after completing an epic 1,000-mile charity cycle over three weeks. Ken Macaulay died following a cardiac arrest on Sunday after thebike ride across Scotland.
The rugby international, 66, raised over £13,000 for Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation (Scotland) and Prostate Scotland. The former rugby player is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest the day after the cycle ended at Gala RFC in Galashiels.
He visited all 76 clubs and pitches he had played at during his 30-year career. On his fundraising page, Mr Macaulay said the challenge would take him “well out of my comfort zone” as he was “no spring chicken” but appeared to be in high spirits after finishing his “adventure” on Saturday October 26.
In a statement following his death, his family said: “We’re so proud of him but overwhelmed by his loss at the same time. Ken’s first response to receiving his retrospective cap was to use it as a platform to give back, we are so in awe of all he has achieved.”
Scottish Rugby President Colin Rigby led tributes, saying: “Ken was a big man, with an out-going personality. His passion for rugby knew no bounds,” declared Scottish Rugby President, Colin Rigby this afternoon.
“He took immense pride in being awarded a Scotland cap and was determined to ‘give something back’ after such a rich and fulfilling rugby career. He set out on a three-week cycle around Scotland, covering the 76 clubs he had visited as a player to raise funds for four charities that meant a lot to him – the Murrayfield Injured Players’ Foundation; Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland; Prostate Scotland; and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation – and he completed the 1,000 miles plus at Gala Rugby Club on Saturday night.
“It was a measure of the esteem in which he was held that former Scotland players and British & Irish Lions joined him on legs of that cycle, as well as friends from the wider rugby family in Scotland. It is devastating news to hear of Ken’s passing, so soon after he had completed such a selfless mission, and we send all our love to his family and friends.”
A spokesman for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland said: “We are hugely grateful that Ken chose Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland as one of the charities to benefit from his challenge, and would like to extend our condolences to his family and friends at this very sad time.”
Hugh Dan MacLennan, chairman of charity Hearts and Balls, said the whole rugby world “has been left shocked by the untimely and tragic death”. He added: “The Hearts and Balls Charitable Trust extends its sincerest condolences to the family, Pat, Richard and Joanna and everyone who knew him and also came to be involved in the challenge which he undertook with such gusto, and especially those at Gala RFC who were involved at the beginning and the end.”
A spokesperson for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation said they were “desperately sad” following the news. “Ken was a remarkable individual, a true supporter and through his challenge he raised substantial funds for four causes he cared deeply about,” the spokesperson added.
Earlier this year, he was one of 75 players to be added to Scottish rugby’s roll of honour, recognising their contribution to international matches with retrospective caps. Mr Macaulay finally received his cap 44 years after being picked for a Scotland squad, which travelled to meet a France Select team in Bordeaux for a series of three matches.
The rugby veteran said: “I was very fortunate to be one of the beneficiaries of the SRU’s retrospective cap initiative earlier this year and this has got me thinking that I would like to give something back, as a thank you for being included in this process but also as a token of appreciation for everything that rugby has given me over many years.”
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