Tyneside golfers have rallied to the cause and another £4000 has been raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Employing more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, the charity expects to provide care to around 25,000 terminally ill patients in the community and in their hospices this year, along with support for their families.

They mainly care for people with cancer but also care for people with other life limiting illnesses. Their services are always free of charge to patients and their families.

The charity is best known for its network of Marie Curie Nurses working in the community to provide end-of-life care for patients in their own homes.

But it also runs nine hospices across the UK and two centres for palliative care research. Their world-renowned Marie Curie Research Institute investigates the causes and treatments of cancer.

2009 Tyneside captain Geoff White said: "Some 15 years ago I introduced a golf day for clients and suppliers. At this time a new Marie Cure hospice was about to open in Elswick and it was decided to donate any monies raised on the day to their very worthwhile cause and such was the success of the event, it has been held every year since.

"The committee and members of Tyneside Golf Club have supported the event and it is hoped to hold the event again in 2010.

"Alan Bright, as a past captain of the club along with his business partner Ed Oswald, have given great support over the last five years."

Geoff added: "Unfortunately this terrible disease in our lifetime crosses all of us in one form or another and the Marie Curie Hospice plays such an important part in the later stages of the disease. To date we have raised some £38,000 for the hospice.

"It gave Alan and me great pleasure this year to present the Hospice with a cheque for £4,000."

No date has yet been set for the 2010 fund-raiser but it will be an open event and the cost is a modest £120 per team. Anyone requiring more information can contact Geoff at chalkie.white@sky.com