Thank you to everyone at Dundee Rugby Club who generously donated a brilliant £6,000 for 40tude following their lunch held in honour of the late Tom Smith, the rugby legend and former Ambassador to 40tude.

The lunch on Saturday 25th February provided an opportunity for those gathered there to share their memories of Tom, who early in his career played for Dundee High School FP. 

"All those who spoke from the club spoke with real affection and awe for the player and man that Tom was," said 40tude representative Gordon Peterson.  "And through the Tom Smith Fellowship he will continue to be a catalyst for good." 

Tom became an Ambassador for 40tude after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in November 2019. Tom wanted to ensure that others did not have to go through what he and his family went through. 

As an Ambassador, Tom used his profile, especially in the rugby community, to raise awareness of the incidence of bowel cancer and the importance of being aware of the symptoms and to act on any symptoms by visiting a doctor. He was a strong advocate of screening for the disease.  

Sadly Tom died in April 2022, aged 50.  In July 2022 Gordon's brother Andy Peterson completed the Tom Smith 4 Points Ride, cycling unaccompanied between the four compass points of the UK Mainland. The total distance was 2,500km.  The funds that Andy raised for 40tude helped to establish a new dedicated research fellowship in Tom's name at St. Mark's Hospital, the national bowel hospital, to investigate the genetics of hereditary colon cancer.  

Billy Gartley, VP of Dundee Rugby Club presents an 'interim' cheque to 40tude team member Gordon Peterson