Golfers have fundraising to a tee

A charity golf tournament has raised an incredible £25,000 as teams played in pouring rain to support Trinity Hospice.

The Thatched House Golf Society held its second ever tournament at Poulton Golf Club earlier this month, which saw 48 teams play nine rounds before an evening of food, cocktails, a raffle and a blind auction.

Organisers Sean Lynden and Megan Valentine-Lynden said: “The whole day was absolutely amazing. Everyone showed up despite the weather forecast – and some teams got absolutely drenched – and everyone got around the course. The weather really was horrific, but everyone was in such good spirits and really enjoyed themselves.

“Everyone was so generous; the teams paid to take part, then people were making donations on the night as well as taking part in the raffle and auction, the golf club kindly gave us the tee times for free and local companies sponsored the holes. It was just incredible.”

The golf society held its first tournament last year, during the pandemic as restrictions started to ease, and raised £17,000.

Sean and Megan said: “We didn’t raise as much as we’d have lived so we decided to have another go. We knew we could get more people involved, and we just felt like we knew a bit more about what we were doing.”

Sean, director at Blackpool Roofing, is a regular supporter of Trinity Hospice after his dad, Tommy Valentine, died there some 15 years ago.

“He always used to say it was like being in a hotel when he was at the hospice,” he said.

“He loved being at the hospice, and it holds such a special place in our hearts. We’ve always tried to do what we can for such an amazing place.

“To have raised so much really is overwhelming and it was quite emotional hearing from the hospice about how the money we raised will help local people who need hospice care. I don’t think there are many people living around here who hasn’t known a family which has needed Trinity, and it was so nice to see everyone pulling together to help.

“We will definitely try to do this every year from now on, and we’re even thinking about doing something at Christmas. We want to do anything we can to help this amazing charity.”

Trinity’s Corporate Partnership Manager, Janet Atkins, said: “Everyone involved on the day did such amazing work to raise this incredible amount of money. It really was a fantastic event, despite the weather, and the fact that people played through the rain is testament to the efforts of Sean, Megan and the team at the Thatched House Golf Society.

“This money will be used to help to provide the very best hospice care to all who need it across the Fylde coast and we are all so grateful to everyone involved in making this effect the huge success it was.”