A SALTCOATS filmmaker has raised over £5,000 for the fight against Alzheimer’s and dementia after producing a documentary on how it impacted his family.
Dean McMillan, 31, is the grandson of one of “The Fighting McMillans” - seven brothers who were all boxers from Glasgow , five of whom moved to the Three Towns area.
Dean has recently filmed and produced his documentary in honour of one of the Fighting McMillans, his grandfather Donald.
Not content with only releasing the documentary online, Dean held an event at Ardrossan Rugby Club on November 5 to showcase the film to a live audience, and to raise money for Alzheimer Scotland.
The night brought in £4,300 through donations from locals and local businesses, and that amount was made even bigger after Celtic and Israel football star Nir Bitton donated a signed Celtic top to be raffled off for the charity.
Dean told the Herald: “When I finally managed to put the documentary together I didn’t want to just put it on YouTube, I wanted to showcase it and raise money for dementia.
“Overall we raised five grand. We did a race night at the event, we did it with seven races - one for each brother - an auction, a raffle, hidden teams and the Celtic top.”
After spending a number of years fighting around the globe in Spain, Denmark and South Africa, Donald McMillan finally captured his first title on May 24, 1971 when he defeated Andy Peace for the Scottish middleweight title.
That victory kick-started an incredible winning run (seven in one year) during which McMillan avenged a loss to Londoner Pat Dwyer and stopped future British and European champion Kevin Finnegan.
In 2010, Donnie along with brothers Alex, John, Angus, Freddie, Gerry and Dougie were honoured at the Scottish Boxing Hall of Fame due to their extraordinary contribution to the sport.
Dean continued: “My papa’s brother had Alzheimers, Donnie is in a care home with vascular dementia, Angie passed away with dementia and Freddy passed away with Parkinson’s and dementia.”
“Their mum had dementia as well.
The boxing brings it on a little quicker but it its not the sole reason.
“I know Alzheimer Scotland.
They would care for my uncle Freddy so they definitely do great work.
“Thanks to everyone who helped me on the night, all the family members that spoke at it.
"I was happy with how the documentary turned out, so thanks also to all the people that helped me make the documentary.”
To view The Fighting McMillans documentary, visit youtube.com/watch?v=eHscO8PfhMk.
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