Huntly's stinking fish eating trio conquer stomach churning charity challenge for Breast Cancer Now
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THREE men who took on the ultimate gastric challenge are on target to raise over £6500 for Breast Cancer Now.
Last Saturday at the Royal Oak, John Cardno, Wilson Pirie and Wayne Gormley tucked into a tin of Surströmming, a Swedish delicacy in which fish are fermented in brine for two months, before the tins are sealed.
The pals were driven to take on the challenge repay the charity for the support it gave John's wife Norma after her diagnosis with breast cancer, surgery and treatment.
A good sized crowd had gathered to hold the guys to their word but as the tin was opened and the smell - somewhere between rotten eggs and vomit was carried in the wind everyone took a step back!
John, served up and each had their own technique for getting it eaten - Wayne grabbed the fish by its tail and ate it in one mouthful to cheers from the crowd. Wilson, a chef, delicately filleted his, saying he was not going to be beaten, before forcing it down and John munched and retched his way through his portion.
But with fish still in the tin, the crowd cheered them on to empty it and each had a second portion, leaving just ghastly brown, stinking brine.
As John finished his, a brave and proud Norma stepped forward and gave him a kiss.
Speaking afterwards John said: "It really was absolutely vile but it wasn't going to beat three stubborn Scotsmen. Wayne admitted he almost bit of more than he could chew with his technique and felt sick as he forced it down.
"I went home and had tea but the after taste kept going all night - none of us were actually sick. On Sunday you certainly knew there was something exceptional going through your system but it's all been so worthwhile."
John and the Royal Oak's Mine Hosts, Mark Webster and Sarah Jane Watson had collected 63 raffle prizes and sold tickets for the draw in the run up to the day.
A Just Giving page, donations on the day and the raffle raised £3227 and John's employer, the Wood Group will match that bringing the total to £6554.
Mr Webster said: "It was a great day for a really good cause and we were delighted to be part of the team effort. It felt like the pub was back to normal with music and a great crowd of folk."
John added: "Businesses and individuals were so generous with their donations of raffle prizes and we are really grateful to them.
"When I said to Breast Cancer Now that we hoped to raise £2000, they indicated that was sufficient to run their app for a year so the amazing sum we have raised will make a huge difference to them.
"When Norma got her diagnosis and then went on for surgery, it was Breast Cancer Now and its forums that she turned to for information and support.
"Wilson, Wayne and I and of course Norma are so grateful to everyone who made Saturday such a success, we can't thank them enough."
