FLYING HIGH: GNAAS Corporate Fundraiser Julie Jamison, Half Way House Angel Doreen Braithwaite, GNAAS Event Coordinator Ruth Davy, Lady Captain Janet Graham and Half Way House Angel Maureen Raw welcome golfers
Barnard Castle Golf Club
HISTORY was made last week when the club hosted a Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) corporate day for the first time.
The Air Ambulance Service only hosts one such event each year and it was decided by the club’s captain, Janet Graham, to host the event in Teesdale.
She has already raised nearly £ 2,000 for the Lifesaving Service which is her charity of choice during her tenure.
She said, “I think it’s one of those charities that you never know when you’ll need it, especially in a rural area. I know people whose lives were saved by the ambulance. “
The former math director at Teesdale School added that due to her fundraising campaign, the ambulance asked if Barnard Castle was interested in hosting the annual golf day.
The club committee then agreed to host it.
Ms. Graham said, “It’s our first time doing something like this, so it’s been a learning curve.”
The day began with a joint breakfast for the 80 participating golfers, followed by a shotgun start, in which four balls from different holes are hit at the same time.
Ruth Davy, Coordinator for GNAAS Events, said: “Janet supported us so we thought, why not do our company day here – it’s a beautiful course. All of our refreshments were sponsored by local companies and we had a lot of support.
“We have McFarlane’s Family Butchers, Peat’s Butchers, and the Co-op and Morrisons. Other companies have given us raffle prizes. We are very thankful.”
Several golf club members also gave up their time to make sure the day was a success, including Half Way House angels Doreen Braithwaite and Maureen Raw who served refreshments, including Ms. Raw’s homemade cheese scones.