Golfers raise £2,000 for charity in 20th year

ABOUT 40 golfers took part in a charity tournament at Badgemore Golf Club in Henley.

The 20th annual event raised nearly £2,000 for the Chiltern Centre in Greys Road, which supports young adults with disabilities.

To date, the event has raised more than £80,000 for the charity.

The golfers were divided into 10 teams of four, competing over 18 holes using the Stableford scoring format.

The mixed winning team was Ruth Cassidy, Sue Jenkins, Jeremy Matheson and Susie Matheson. The ladies’ winning team comprised Pam Bishop, Karen Curran, Janet Lawson, Sally Birkett and the men’s winning team was Doug Ash, Mark Stephens, Paul Knight, Martin Vine.

Following the game, the golfers had a barbecue lunch in the clubhouse and there was a raffle. Prizes included a voucher for Laurence Menswear, Mr Hobbs Gin, an MOT at Whitehill Service Station and a hamper from Pavilion Foods.

A silent auction was also held, with prizes including two tickets to Sunday night at Henley Festival and a voucher to spend at the Relais Henley Hotel and a live auction, featured lots including a pair of amphitheatre tickets to the Royal Opera House production of Il Trovatore.

Gareth Groves, director of services at the Chiltern Centre, said: “The money that is raised will go to giving experiences and opportunities to the people we support.” Helping out with the raffle was Helen Morton, whose 40-year-old son, Christopher, has Down syndrome and has attended the centre for many years.

Ms Morton, who lives in Blandy Road, has been involved with the centre for more than 30 years.

“It's a community and it’s wonderful,” she said: “My son still benefits from one of the outreach groups there called the Breakaway group.

“They are just people of his age, 30-plus, that arrange little outings every couple of months and it just keeps them in touch with each other.”

Howard Johnson, a Badgemore Golf club member, completed the course alongside fellow member Jenny Stanier and friends Sue Rogers and Karen Bridges, from Mapledurham Golf Club.

He said: “We are supporting it because it’s local and a good cause. One of the girls is playing off a handicap of nine and I’m playing off 24 so I’ll get a bit of hassle from her but she’s a really good player.”

The event was sponsored by Apperley Wealth Management, based in Bell Street, and the 18th hole was sponsored by TG Gym & Wellness, based in Reading Road.

The Chiltern Centre primarily supports young adults aged 16 to 25 who have learning disabilities and complex medical needs.

It provides day services and respite care as well as social and recreational activities and training and skills development. To support the centre go to: www.chiltercentre.org.uk
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