Sports star Robbie Fergusson has been named as Whiteley’s Retreat’s new patron.

Robbie, 28, from Ayr, is a Team GB Athlete and Tokyo 2020 Olympian and for the past seven years, he has played professional rugby for Glasgow Warriors.

And for Robbie, the charity has a particular place in his heart as he faced his own battle with cancer and knows exactly how beneficial support can be for the person who has cancer and their family too.

Beaming with pride, Robbie said: “I have been lucky enough to represent not only Team GB at the Olympics but also captain Scotland Sevens for three years around the world in events such as the Commonwealth games in 2018 and Rugby Sevens World Cup.

“My journey began playing rugby from a young age with my local Club Ayr RFC.

“It was here at the age of 20 I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. This was a massive moment in my life and also the lives of the people around me.

“This is why I am so keen to get involved with the fantastic work at Whiteleys Retreat and try to contribute in any way I can to help the young people and their families during difficult times.

“I am now a proud father after intense chemotherapy and consider myself an extremely lucky man.”

Whiteleys CEO Maxine Allan was delighted to have Robbie as patron.

She said: “Robbie is an inspiration to all of us and will be a wonderful Patron to help Whiteleys spread the word of our vital respite services around Scotland.