Southend in Sight welcomes donation from the members at Garon Park Golf Complex

February 1, 2022

Southend Blind Welfare Organisation was delighted to be the recipient of a generous donation from Garon Park Golf Complex collected through the fundraising efforts of its members across the different membership sections.

Each year the Captains of the various sections select a charity to support. At the end of 2019, the Men’s Captain Bryan Bone, the Ladies’ Captain Stephanie Lawrence, and the Seniors Captain David Coakley chose Southend Blind Welfare Organisation for their 2020 charity. However, the impact of Covid-19 curtailed the usual events and activities so captaincies and fundraising for their chosen charity were extended from one to two years, covering both 2020 and 2021. The total raised was £6949.77.

David Coakley said: “The Golf Complex holds a number of events during the year including quizzes, social evenings with the ever-popular raffle and ladies’ events, the proceeds from which build up the charity funds.”

Bryan Bone added: “Annual 'Captains' Day' and 'Captain Drive-ins' always raise significant funds too. In addition, we have an expectation that when any member hits their golf ball into one of the selected ponds around the course, they make a donation into one the collection boxes in the clubhouse. Somehow, golfers just cannot resist the water and the ponds are ready and waiting.”

Stephanie Lawrence said: “It's surprising how quickly these funds build up. All our members enjoy the fund-raising aspects of life at Garon Park, and we hope the proceeds raised go some way to helping those who suffer with sight problems.”

Southend Blind Welfare Organisation’s trustees Stephanie Cooper and David Wacogne joined the charity’s CEO Lucy Martin to receive the cheque from the Captains and members at the Garon Park.

Lucy thanked all those involved in the fund raising and said:

“It’s been a difficult two years for everyone, so we are extremely grateful to the golfers and captains at Garon Park who have raised a really generous amount for our small, independent charity. The money will go to help local people living with sight loss and visual problems and make a big difference to them.”

Southend Blind Welfare Organisation’s Community Services Division, Southend in Sight, has its base at 117 Hamlet Court Road. It is only open for booked appointments at the moment, but the charity’s shop is open daily Monday to Saturday.

For more information on the services provided by the charity, please call the Southend in Sight office on 01702 342131 or email info@southendinsight.org.uk.

Southend in Sight is the Community Services Division of Southend Blind Welfare Organisation, an independent charity providing practical help to visually impaired people in and around the Southend-on-Sea area.

The charity’s headquarters in Hamlet Court Road houses a Resource and Information Centre, and a Charity Shop, which raises significant funds to support the Centre. An Equipment Loan Scheme is also offered.