Golfers hit £3,000 for air ambulance charity

It is believed to be the first time in the club’s history that the Mens and Ladies Captains had chosen to support the same charity in their year of fundraising.

They held a number of events at the 18-hole course including a 24-hour golf challenge, a black tie dinner and dance, and an auction.

There was also a raffle with prizes including a golf hat signed by 30 Pro-Am players and celebrities such as Rory Mcllroy, Ernie Els, Tim Henman and Ian Botham.

In total, they raised a massive £3,202 for the air ambulance which relies almost entirely on public donations. Each callout costs about £2,500 so the substantial sum raised could effectively help save a life.

Mens Captain John Stevens and Ladies Captain Jane White presented their cheque for the balance of funds raised to the doctor and paramedic during a visit to the helicopter base today (Thursday).

John said: “The air ambulance is a real necessity and certainly gives a far better chance of survival and full recovery to anyone unfortunate enough to have a serious accident.”

Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance is often called to golf courses and both crews have attended more than 1,000 callouts so far this year.

Jane added: “I was finding it difficult to decide on a charity to nominate when my daughter told me about a presentation she had been to about the air ambulance. It’s a great charity that any one of us could be in need of as we go about our lives, not that we want it to.”

Report and picture contributed by West Chiltington Golf Club.