Sir Gareth Southgate helps raise £23k for Martin House at Ilkley event
Some of the biggest names in sport descended on Ilkley Golf Club this month for The Yorkshire Invitational, which chose Martin House Children’s Hospice as its charity partner.
Hosted by golfing legend Colin Montgomerie OBE, the two-day event was organised by SGH Sporting Events and brought together professional golfers, celebrities and sporting stars while raising money to support children and young people with life-shortening conditions and their families. It also gave amateur golfers the opportunity to play alongside leading names from the worlds of professional golf and sport.
Among those taking part were Sir Gareth Southgate, Jason Robinson, Zinzan Brooke, Steve Harmison, Lee Dixon, Andy Cole and Dame Laura Davies, alongside a host of professional golfers.
The event raised £23,361.70 for Martin House, which provides specialist palliative care and support to children, young people and families across West, North and East Yorkshire.
Sir Gareth, a long-term Martin House ambassador, said: “I'd say my golf went from average to reasonably good! It was certainly nerve-wracking teeing off in front of a crowd at the start.
“It's been a brilliant event, and the fact that the money is going to Martin House is very special. It costs a lot to keep the hospice running each year, so events like today are great for raising both the charity's profile and valuable funds.”
More than 1,600 spectators had registered ahead of the event, with visitors getting the chance to watch some of sport’s most recognisable names compete up close.
The Invitational culminated in a professional tournament, with Chris Hanson taking victory on two-under-par, one shot ahead of runner-up Oliver Fisher.
There was also a memorable moment when Howard Rishton, from Clitheroe Golf Club, recorded a hole-in-one at the 15th, hitting a six iron into a strong wind.
Michelle Ford, Regional and Events Team Manager at Martin House, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone involved in the Yorkshire Invitational for choosing Martin House as its charity partner and helping to raise such a fantastic amount.
“Every pound raised will help us continue providing specialist care and support to children and young people with life-shortening conditions, and their families, across Yorkshire.”
Each year, Martin House supports more than 550 children and young people with life-shortening conditions, and their families. Its specialist teams provide care at the hospice in Boston Spa, in hospitals and in families’ own homes.
Providing this care costs around £13 million every year, with the majority coming from voluntary donations and fundraising.
For further information about Martin House Children's Hospice and how to support it, visit www.martinhouse.org.uk.
