Date: 6th July 2006
Golfers Have A Ball at Norwood Fundraiser
Dyrham Park Golf and Country Club in Barnet was the spectacular setting for yesterday’s 2006 Bank of Ireland Norwood Golf Day, a prestigious annual fundraising event in aid of Anglo-Jewry’s leading children and family services charity. Former British, European and Commonwealth heavyweight boxing champion Sir Henry Cooper OBE, KSG, and actor John Bardon, who plays Jim Branning in Eastenders, were among the 96 players who took to the fairways in the Team of Four Golf Tournament, which is now in its 15th year. The event raised a total of £120,000 for Norwood.
The standard of play was variable and wasn’t aided by the humid conditions, the intermittent rain and the challenging nature of the course. However, despite the lost balls, sliced drives and missed putts, the players, many of whom represented companies that were supporting the event with sponsorship, remained in fine spirits. There were several prizes up for grabs, including awards for the best team, the longest drive and the most accurate tee shot. There was also a raffle for the chance to win a Smart Car. In an outstanding display of generosity, the raffle winner, Anthony Ridgewell, donated his prize back to Norwood to be auctioned, and it ended up fetching an additional £8,000!
At the end of play, it was back to the nineteenth hole for dinner, drinks and top-class entertainment. Nick Einhorn, the three-times Magic Circle Close-Up Magician of the Year, stunned the gathering with his sleight of hand, after which stand-up comic Ian Irving performed a routine that had the entire room in stitches. To round off the evening, there was an auction of sporting items including a Brazil shirt signed by Pele and a pair of football boots signed by the England team. There was also time for Clare Guiness, the Bank of Ireland’s representative, to present a cheque to Norwood for £25,000.
Adele Breslauer, Head of Central Events at Norwood, was delighted with the event. She said: “It has been another fantastic fundraiser for Norwood. Everyone has had a great time in beautiful surroundings -and all for a worthy cause. I’d like to thank everyone who took part.” Sir Henry Cooper said “I have had a brilliant day. I am delighted to be associated with Norwood and to support it”.
For further information please contact David Wosner, Public Relations Officer at Norwood on 020 8420 6942 or email: david.wosner@norwood.org.uk
