The ladies from Spalding Golf Club have fundraising down to a tee – they’ve raised more than £3,000 for charity in the last year.
When it came to choosing a charity, captain of the Ladies’ Section for 2014/15, Christine Vickers didn’t take long to nominate Bowel & Cancer Research because her brother, farmer Jim Middleton, died of bowel cancer in 2011 at the age of 70.
“We grew up on the farm together and were very close,” said Vickers. “He was a good golfer and taught me how to play. He’d be quietly chuffed if he knew we were raising money in his memory.”
Vickers and her fellow-players held a range of events in the last year including a bridge drive, fashion show, luncheon party, fun days, raffles and am-am open days.
There were also collecting tins on the club house bar.
They will be handing over a cheque to Deborah Gilbert, chief executive of Bowel & Cancer Research, on November 27.
“When people discovered why we’d chosen the charity, they were very supportive,” added Vickers. “Bowel disease is one of those topics that no one talks about, but it affects an awful lot of people.”
“I have had my own problems – including an ileostomy – and, thanks to a fantastic surgeon, I’m absolutely fine now. But I’m one of the lucky ones.”
Deborah Gilbert thanked the Spalding ladies’ section for their efforts. She said: “Christine is right that bowel disease is often not talked about, which is something we’d like to change.
“Our vision is that no one should die of bowel cancer, have to live with chronic bowel disease or face life with a permanent stoma.”
