Around 80 golfers braved the sweltering heat to raise £30,000 for Norwood at its annual Golf Day.
Held at Dyrham Park Country Club in Barnet on Wednesday (July 1), the event generated much-needed funds for the children, adults and families living with learning disability or social disadvantage which Norwood supports.
Corporate teams, a large number from the construction and building industry, enjoyed a hearty breakfast before making their way out on the luscious fairways and manicured greens.
Once they had completed their round, the golfers returned to the club-house for a glass of Pimm's on the terrace and a buffet lunch.
But before they ate, the golfers heard a moving appeal on behalf of Norwood from interior designer Jeff Fine, 59, and his 28-year-old son James. Following his birth in 1981, James was diagnosed as brain injured with Cerebral Palsy. His family was told by specialists that there was nothing that could be done for him and they should simply ‘go home and love him’. But following years of therapy at home and at several specialist schools, including one at Ravenswood in Berkshire, James now leads an active life at one of Norwood’s residential homes in Stanmore.
He has taken part in a number of Norwood bike rides and recently completed the 60-mile Capital to Coast Cycle Challenge for Charity on a tandem. During the appeal, Jeff said: “Norwood is fantastic. From a family point of view, we know he is well cared for, beautifully looked after and has a fantastic life.”
After lunch, awards were handed out for the winning team and two runners up, the longest drive and most accurate tee shot, followed by a raffle. Companies which fielded teams included the Malden Group, UK Screeders, Windsor Signs, Howard Kennedy and Frogmore.
One of the golfers Dexter Gaul, a partner at Orange Information Systems, said: “It was a great day and Norwood is a fantastic cause which we support wholeheartedly. I’ll definitely be coming back next year and for as long as it is running.”
Following the event, David Galman, Chairman of the Norwood Golf Committee, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who helped to make this Golf Day such a great success. The money raised will support some of the most vulnerable children, adults and families in our community.”
