Scaffolding Boss to Auction Scotland’s Top Sports Memorabilia Collection for Charity

ADVERTISEMENT

One of the largest private sports memorabilia collections in Scotland is set to go under the hammer in a major charity auction launching this week.

John Horne, Managing Director of JR Scaffold – part of the JR Group – is parting with more than 130 prized items from his personal collection to raise funds for two causes close to his heart.

The move marks the 30th anniversary of his business, which he started in 1995 – the same year he began collecting memorabilia. What began with a few signed football shirts from charity events has since grown into a remarkable collection featuring some of the biggest names in global sport.

The collection is now being auctioned in aid of the Emmie Smillie Foundation and MND Scotland.

Among the standout lots are signed shirts from Graeme Souness, Ronaldo, Brian Laudrup and Lionel Messi, as well as autographed photos of Diego Maradona, Peter Shilton and George Best. Items signed by Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods and Masters champions also feature in the auction.

Horne said: “This journey started with Old Firm memorabilia and a desire to support good causes. Over the years, I’ve been lucky to acquire pieces from some of the biggest names in sport. Every item holds a story, a moment, a memory, and while it’s emotional to part with them, this feels like the right time.”

 

He added that the auction is not just about raising money, but about honouring the people who helped him and his business over the years.

“The auction will raise funds for the Emmie Smillie Foundation, in memory of a wonderful young girl whose father, Andy, helped us start our company. We’re also supporting MND Scotland in tribute to Aaron Souttar. His parents, Jack and Heather, are dear friends.”

The auction, run by Blue Parrot Events Group via their Event PAL platform, will take place online for two weeks from Monday, 30 June.

To view the items and place a bid, visit: weareeventpal.com/jrgroup – donations to the charities can also be made directly via the site.

Most popular ↑

Hull scaffolding firm saved after difficult trading period

A Hull-based scaffolding firm has been saved after The...

PHD Access plays key role in latest HMS Victory conservation phase

PHD Access is playing a central role in the...

Australian scaffolding body warns Kwikform collapse exposes subcontractor risks

Australia’s scaffolding trade body has said the voluntary administration...

ScaffChamp 2026 confirms global live stream details

ScaffChamp powered by Layher 2026 will once again be...

Trade earnings lag inflation as site activity slows

Average weekly earnings for self-employed construction trades rose by...

Latest news

Scaffolding Boss to Auction Scotland’s Top Sports Memorabilia Collection for Charity

ADVERTISEMENT

One of the largest private sports memorabilia collections in Scotland is set to go under the hammer in a major charity auction launching this week.

John Horne, Managing Director of JR Scaffold – part of the JR Group – is parting with more than 130 prized items from his personal collection to raise funds for two causes close to his heart.

The move marks the 30th anniversary of his business, which he started in 1995 – the same year he began collecting memorabilia. What began with a few signed football shirts from charity events has since grown into a remarkable collection featuring some of the biggest names in global sport.

The collection is now being auctioned in aid of the Emmie Smillie Foundation and MND Scotland.

Among the standout lots are signed shirts from Graeme Souness, Ronaldo, Brian Laudrup and Lionel Messi, as well as autographed photos of Diego Maradona, Peter Shilton and George Best. Items signed by Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods and Masters champions also feature in the auction.

Horne said: “This journey started with Old Firm memorabilia and a desire to support good causes. Over the years, I’ve been lucky to acquire pieces from some of the biggest names in sport. Every item holds a story, a moment, a memory, and while it’s emotional to part with them, this feels like the right time.”

 

He added that the auction is not just about raising money, but about honouring the people who helped him and his business over the years.

“The auction will raise funds for the Emmie Smillie Foundation, in memory of a wonderful young girl whose father, Andy, helped us start our company. We’re also supporting MND Scotland in tribute to Aaron Souttar. His parents, Jack and Heather, are dear friends.”

The auction, run by Blue Parrot Events Group via their Event PAL platform, will take place online for two weeks from Monday, 30 June.

To view the items and place a bid, visit: weareeventpal.com/jrgroup – donations to the charities can also be made directly via the site.

Popular Categories

Latest posts

Scaffolder running length of Britain for children’s cancer charity

A Portsmouth scaffolder has begun an 860-mile charity run from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise money for families affected by neuroblastoma. Charlie Chandler,...

Global access sector marks first industry awareness day

The scaffolding and access industry is today marking the first International Scaffolding and Access Day. The new annual event, launched by the International Access and...

Trade earnings lag inflation as site activity slows

Average weekly earnings for self-employed construction trades rose by just 2.3% year on year in April, as demand for skilled labour slowed across England...

Hull scaffolding firm saved after difficult trading period

A Hull-based scaffolding firm has been saved after The Yorkshire Maintenance Co stepped in to secure the future of the business and its 22...

PHD Access plays key role in latest HMS Victory conservation phase

PHD Access is playing a central role in the latest phase of the HMS Victory conservation programme at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, delivering the specialist...

ScaffCycle relaunches used scaffolding marketplace

ScaffCycle has relaunched its online marketplace for used scaffolding after rebuilding the platform to make it easier for contractors, scaffolders and suppliers to buy,...

ScaffChamp 2026 confirms global live stream details

ScaffChamp powered by Layher 2026 will once again be broadcast live to the global scaffolding community. The official live stream will begin on 6 June...

Australian scaffolding body warns Kwikform collapse exposes subcontractor risks

Australia’s scaffolding trade body has said the voluntary administration of the Kwikform group highlights wider concerns over subcontractor exposure and payment risk across the...

HAKI CEO Sverker Lindberg to step down by 2027

HAKI Safety has confirmed that its President and CEO, Sverker Lindberg, will leave his position no later than April 2027. The company said Lindberg has...

Staht signs US distribution deal for digital pull testing range

UK digital pull testing manufacturer Staht has appointed Diversified Fall Protection as its exclusive distributor in the United States. The agreement will see Diversified market,...

Spring Issue #29 | Past issues >>

Latest topics

Most popular ⚡︎

Hull scaffolding firm saved after difficult trading period

A Hull-based scaffolding firm has been saved after The...

PHD Access plays key role in latest HMS Victory conservation phase

PHD Access is playing a central role in the...

Australian scaffolding body warns Kwikform collapse exposes subcontractor risks

Australia’s scaffolding trade body has said the voluntary administration...

ScaffChamp 2026 confirms global live stream details

ScaffChamp powered by Layher 2026 will once again be...

Trade earnings lag inflation as site activity slows

Average weekly earnings for self-employed construction trades rose by...

Related articles

ADVERTISEMENTS
More from
Latest articles

CSCS Smart Check upgrade to improve workforce skills data

CSCS has upgraded its Smart Check platform to collect more detailed data from construction...

Scaffolder running length of Britain for children’s cancer charity

A Portsmouth scaffolder has begun an 860-mile charity run from John O’Groats to Land’s...

Global access sector marks first industry awareness day

The scaffolding and access industry is today marking the first International Scaffolding and Access...

Trade earnings lag inflation as site activity slows

Average weekly earnings for self-employed construction trades rose by just 2.3% year on year...

Hull scaffolding firm saved after difficult trading period

A Hull-based scaffolding firm has been saved after The Yorkshire Maintenance Co stepped in...

PHD Access plays key role in latest HMS Victory conservation phase

PHD Access is playing a central role in the latest phase of the HMS...