Sale Golf Club putt their best foot forward with fantastic fundraising
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We’re hugely grateful to everyone from Sale Golf Club who chose Caritas and our Cornerstone day centre as their charity of the year last year.
Here, Lady Captain Chris Conville and Captain Mike Fox tell us more about why they wanted to help…
Why did you decide to choose Caritas Cornerstone to be your Captain’s and Lady Captain’s charity of the year?
Chris said: “Historically, this is a charity I have supported through my boys’ school Saint Ambrose College.
“I have always donated items annually to the Cornerstone centre. At one point in the late 70s, I attended a school in a building close by, that’s long gone now, and I remember seeing people who were homeless passing by and going to get a meal and a hot drink from the clergy and religious sisters at the church. I now know that that church was where the idea for Cornerstone started, before it came to its building on Denmark Road.”
Mike said: “It’s unusual for the Captain and Lady Captain to choose the same charity, but when Chris asked me to consider combining our efforts for the year, it just made sense. The fact it was a local charity appealed to me, and that this project is about supporting people at risk of – or experiencing – homelessness.”
You managed to raise more than £10,000, which is amazing. What did you do?
Chris said: “Everyone at the club has been so generous, but people don’t like to be constantly asked for money, so we tried to be creative and make it fun and inclusive.
“We tried to do an activity each season to raise funds and awareness. Starting with the Caritas St Joseph Penny boxes in the locker room so the ladies could take them home and put loose change in, and we left leaflets in places to explain what the charity does to help people, and how their money can make a direct impact.
“I made sure the information was always around the club, at the different events we did, there would be things displayed on the table in prominent positions. We used entry fees to competitions, we held a Ladies Open competition where players come from outside clubs, they pay a fee and we provide a grand raffle.
“I did some seasonal things like naming two bunnies at Easter and filling a glass pumpkin with sweets at Halloween and charged them to guess the number inside the jar. Winner takes all! Finally, the Captain’s barbecue where we auctioned great prizes donated by the members.”
Mike said: “We raised most of the money at the captains’ barbecue where there was both a raffle and an auction.
“Members and friends kindly donated a number of items including a Harry Maguire shirt donated by his agent. The club itself ran various events where a percentage of the entry fee was kindly donated to the charity.”
Why is helping our charity – which supports people experiencing poverty, homelessness, disadvantage and displacement – so important to you?
Mike said: “I feel I want to give something back. I have been fortunate throughout my life to have been supported by close family and friends. Everyone deserves an opportunity and hopefully our small contribution will afford that opportunity.”
Chris said: “I feel we all want to belong; we all need to find our tribe. This centre allows that. I worked for 40 years in social housing, and I know how vital a service like this is.
“It’s a lifeline for those that are alone, or who feel lonely or isolated, it is a safe space to come and sit and talk to someone and it allows them to seek advice and help. A charity like Caritas, and its Cornerstone day centre, provides that for everyone, regardless of background or circumstances. They help people back on their feet, treating them with kindness and respect, helping them to take back control of their own lives by getting involved with a range of activities and learning opportunities and valuing their contribution.”
Will you miss your year as Captain/Lady Captain?
Mike said: “ It is a great responsibility and very time-consuming. I would not have accepted the position had I still been in full-time employment. That said, now my term has come to an end, I am missing it.”
Chris said: “Yes, I surely will, it’s been fantastic to work with Mike for Cornerstone and we’ve really enjoyed all aspects of the role at Sale Golf Club, our members have been so very generous and kind.
“It was a perfect opportunity for me to combine a new sport with a charitable twist! Just knowing that our time as captains has helped to raise this money is amazing as we know it will provide for people attending Cornerstone to become new volunteers and receive training and skills which could help them move into work. That’s the best legacy.”
Thank you again to Mike and Chris and to everyone at Sale Golf Club. We really appreciate all of your kindness, generosity and support.
If you would be interested in helping the people we work alongside by choosing Caritas as your charity of the year for your organisation or group, we’d love to hear from you. Why not get in touch? Email: fundraising@caritassalford.org.uk to have a chat to the team.
You can make a donation to support our services by clicking here now.