Ferndown Golf Club's £50,000 donations

The UK lockdown due to coronavirus has prevented many things from happening in the world of golf, but the Peter Alliss Invitational Charity has managed to donate almost £50,000 to a variety of good causes.

Last year’s Golf Day at Ferndown Golf Club raised a whopping £40,000 and the charity recently donated £2,500 to support the NHS, which inspired club members to add a further £5,645.

Alliss, the voice of golf, learned to play the game at the club when his father Percey was a professional there.

The charity golf day has been a fixture in the club’s calendar since 1987, raising vast sums.

Usually at this time of year Peter visits Ferndown to present wheelchairs, frames, bikes and buggies to local disabled youngsters.

Although the coronavirus crisis has prevented the presentations, the children have received their mobility aids.

The club’s 2019 skipper Matt Fleming was also able to present High Mead Farm a cheque for £15,000, which was raised at the golf day.

Club manager Ian Walton said: “The Peter Alliss Invitational Charity does wonderful things and when the coronavirus crisis began it donated £2,500.

“This went towards sourcing and purchasing PPE which is now being used locally in Penny’s Hill medical practice in Ferndown as well as in Wimborne Hospital.

“Our members were asked to match the amount but went much further, bringing the total raised for the NHS to £8,145.00.

“Much of the money raised during the charity golf day is used to buy mobility aids for local youngsters who attend Victoria, Langside and Montecute schools.

“We’re delighted that all the children have received the items and we hope it’s not too long before they can use them outside their homes.

“Just prior to the lockdown, last year’s skipper Matt Fleming was able to present a cheque to his chosen charity, Longham-based High Mead Farm, which provides therapeutic farming.

“Although the club has been closed it is heartening that our charity work continues and so does that of the Peter Alliss Invitational Charity.”

The next charity golf day is set for September 7 and the charities being supported are Wessex Heart Beat, Salvation Army and Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.