TEEING up in aid of Shooting Star Children’s Hospice at Hindhead Golf Club last Friday were members of Farnham Lions golf day committee, club captains Erica Pickard and Harvie Harrington, and co-sponsor Aiden O’Keefe of Farnborough-based DSA Golf.

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, which cares for babies and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families, will be the beneficiary of the 24th annual Farnham Lions charity golf day on August 29.

Last Friday was the launch event for the high-profile annual fundraiser. Spaces are currently available for anyone wishing to book a place as a team of four or as a pair.

But anyone interested in taking part should sign up swiftly as demand is always very high. To date more than £140,000 has been raised by the popular event, which supports a different charity each year.

It costs Shooting Star £10m a year just to maintain its current level of care. Only ten per cent of that income comes from government funding, so the charity relies on donations to keep the service running.

Farnham Lions and golf day chairman Carl Taylor welcomed the opportunity to support such a wonderful organisation.

Ellie Bennett, Shooting Star community fundraiser, described the care and support provided and told launch guests that all the proceeds from the golf day will go towards the Sensory Garden Project – a bright, vibrant and inter-active outdoors space for children and their families.

Ladies captain Erica Pickard said: “When Harvie and I visited the Guildford hospice we were overwhelmed by the warmth and total dedication of the staff and the high level of care that it provides for the children and their families.

“I know at first hand how much support they offer as some friends of mine had three children, two of whom had life limiting conditions, and Shooting Star were a great help to them during very difficult times.

“It is our hope that the sensory walkway that we are fundraising for will provide whole families with an experience that they can enjoy together – it will have a range of sensory features around the wheelchair-accessible path that will relax, soothe or stimulate.

“Harvie and I, in partnership with the Farnham Lions, are determined to do whatever we can to help.”

Carl said he would welcome donations of auction and raffle prizes, to help swell the amount that Shooting Star Children’s Hospices would receive.

He announced some “exciting changes” to the format of this year’s golf day, which will introduce a ‘Shotgun Start’ with all groups teeing off simultaneously from different holes.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three individual and team scores on the day.

There will also be a putting competition and prizes for the straightest drive and the nearest the pin, while a brand-new car is up for grabs for a hole in one.

To book, visit farnhamlions.org.uk. For sponsorship opportunities or to donate auction or raffle prizes, e-mail [email protected].