Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 

You may recall that last year at the gala dinner for the FOA/FIA International Derivatives Week, the Financial Times Jeremy Grant helped raise £2000 for the Futures for Kids charity by showing a little leg.  OK, on a bet he had to wear a kilt to the gala.  I wrote something here about him having to show off some bony legs.

Well, a year has passed and IDX is next month.  Jeremy, ever the cheerful fundraiser, this year has decided to challenge yours truly to wear a kilt to the gala and will donate the first £100 if I do.  There is some really good deja vu here I will get to shortly.

As you may know, the Lothian surname is of Scottish heritage.  My late grandfather, also named John James Lothian, came to the United States after the First World War.  He had celebrated his 18th birthday in a trench in France and decided after the war there was more opportunity in America.  

My late father, inspired by his Scottish heritage during a midlife crisis (that is what I called it) started playing the bagpipes in his 40s, during my teenage years.  He later founded a couple of bagpipe bands with the Shriners and marched and piped his way around to help raise money for the crippled children or burned children the Shriners support.  

He wore his Scottish gear to help children and have a little fun.  He also persuaded some hillbilly and Swedish Shrine friends (as he called them) from Rockford, IL to learn to pipe or drum and do the same.  I believe this is where the band Motley Crew got the idea for their name.

Anyway, the last time I wore a kilt was for a Scottish themed celebration a week after my wedding some 21 years ago.  I was tall, handsome and skinny.  I am still tall.

I tried on my father’s kilt yesterday, or tried to try it on, and came away with the knowledge that I am no longer skinny.  Jeremy has suggested I find a store to rent the full Highlanderwear and I have done so.  They appear to have my size for all the necessary parts, except what you are supposed to wear under a kilt.  Hmmm.

So therefore, I formally accept Jeremy’s challenge.  I shall hire a kilt and Prince Charlie jacket and wear it to the gala in order to take his money for Futures for Kids.  But I have a challenge for you too.  Will you also consider a contribution to this worthy charity in the name of John Lothian showing some leg at the gala?

Here is the best part.  I have invited my 15-year old son Tim to accompany me to London for IDX as my summer intern.  Thus, he gets to witness your generosity and my midlife Highland fling.  

There is no pie throwing this time (thank goodness), but a noble challenge nonetheless and a very deserving cause.