Golfers Back Charity Day

May 12 2008 by The Journal

A special golf tournament is being organised to help raise vital funds for a North East charity. The Sara's Hope Foundation is hoping to raise its profile in order to realise the kind of funds needed to support its planned projects and is organising an inaugural charity golf competition to be held at Tynemouth Golf Club on Friday, June 13th.

The competition will be a Stableford open to teams of two players each with a handicap not exceeding 24 and results will be measured on a combined pairs score based on handicap.

Tee off times will commence at 10.30am and four ball groups will tee off at 8 minute intervals until 1.30pm.

The cost per pair will be £90 and the combined first prize will be to the value of £200 with the second and third being adjusted respectively. Additional prizes will be awarded for the usual sub competitions such as longest drive, nearest to the pin, most accurate drive etc.

At the age of 14, Sara Hoburn, a young lady from Whitley Bay, was diagnosed with a rare form of adult colon cancer, so rare in fact that nobody in Newcastle knew anything about the condition.

In order to treat Sara, research information had to be gained from America. Despite a long and brave fight, Sara unfortunately died at the age of 16.

Sara's parents, Ged and Julie Hoburn, with the aid of friends and family, decided to found a charity to commemorate Sara's life and the Sara's Hope Foundation was started.

The charity aims to purchase a property in Crete to use as a holiday home where children suffering from similar conditions can be sent to get away from the trauma and stresses related to their condition and the related treatment.

In order to qualify for recognition as a "charity" the foundation needed to achieve the sum of £5,000 and in the six months it has been in existence has actually raised £20,000 and in doing so has recently been awarded charity status.

Anyone wishing to enter this competition or support it in the form of sponsorship can obtain application forms from: Gordon Smith, 24 Churchill Ave, Whitley Bay NE25 8UY.

Or you can send an email to: gordonksmith@blueyonder.co.uk