Golfers raise thousands for charity
A record-breaking £47,585 has been donated to a local charity by Leighton Buzzard golf club following a year-long campaign by club captain Trevor McAleese, supported by ladies captain Steph Howlett, members and guests.
The money was raised in golf competitions, social events and a range of other activities during the past year with the cheque being handed over to the Reclaim Life charity located in Bridge Street, Leighton Buzzard on Saturday as Trevor stood-down after his year in office.
Promoting therapeutic coaching, emotional health and well being, Reclaim Life has helped over 2,000 clients. supported by 20 volunteer life coaches, with additional staff in the process of being recruited and trained. The charity does not receive funding from government, relying on donations and fund-raising events to cover operational costs.
Reclaim Life coach Helen O'Connell told club members that the golf club donation was "amazing", adding: "It will help make so much difference to so many people and will allow us to continue with our much needed therapeutic work, giving people the tools to thelp themselves and to continue our latest pilot project for going into schools."
Adds Trevor: "The Reclaim Life team achieve tremendous success with people in desperate need. They save lives and that's a cause well worth supporting.
*Leighton Buzzard golf club’s new Captain John Latimer teed-off on Sunday surrounded by a mixture of classic motor cycles treasured by members of Leighton Buzzard motor cycling club and the Spartans, live Jazz music reflecting John's passion for jazz, family and friends.
Fifty-nine-year-old John is an all-round sportsman who took up golf after a major leg injury prevented him playing rugby.
He joined the Leighton club in 2007 and has since won several trophies, flying the flag for senior golfers, with a lowest gross score of 70 carded on one of his rounds.
Sunday's drive-in event, organised by his Vice Captain Simon Allder and club colleagues, included joining up with members of the band JAZZ and was joined by a half-dozen members of the motor cycling goups before players teed off for the John's opening match of his year as Club Captain.
During his year in office, John, along with Ladies Captain Josie Sheridan, will be raising funds for two great local causes...the Leighton Buzzard branch of Macmillan Cancer Support and Freddie & Friends, a local community group supporting a safe place for young people with special needs and disabilities to socialise and play.