Councillors tee off in bid to drive past £20k mark raised for charity

Councillors tee off in bid to drive past £20k mark raised for charity

6 June 2018

LOCAL councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews are aiming to take the amount of money they have raised for local charities and good causes well past the £20,000 mark when they take to the fairways of Bright Castle Golf Club this weekend.

To date, the big-hearted politicians have raised in the region of £19,000 and hope this Saturday’s annual charity golf tournament will raise several thousand pounds which is being split among six local organisations.

They include Mainstay DRP, Home Start, Pop Up Art, Newcastle RNLI and the Killyleagh and Crossgar Community associations. Later in the year, the local councillors are keen to organise a fundraiser in aid of Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.

The Rowallane duo hoping the weather will hold and that the event will be as successful as last year’s.

They have set themselves a target of £3,000 so they can provide each of the local groups with £500, with Saturday’s four ball event teeing off at 8.30am. Anyone wishing to take part can still do so by contacting Bright Golf Club.

Local businesses have supported the event in the past with a number also on board this year. Others who wish to get involved are asked to contact either Billy or Terry.

While there is a very serious side to the fundraiser, the councillors say they want competitors to have a great day out and that hopefully the sun will be shining.

“The most important thing is to raise money and for me to chin Terry and come out with the best score,” Billy joked. 

“We have had a number of head-to-heads in aid of charity and I am confident of leaving Terry a little teed off at the end when I celebrate my better score.”

Billy said the pair continue to be overwhelmed by people’s generosity and hope this weekend’s golf tournament will take the amount they have raised over recent years past the £20,000 mark.

“Terry and I greatly appreciate the work of the various groups we have supported in the past,” he continued. “They are at the heart of their respective communities and work quietly away, helping others. The organisations we are supporting this weekend are no different,” he said.

“We are hoping for good weather and while the competition will be fierce between Terry and I, it is about having fun and raising money for good causes. If there are any golfers looking for a good day out, I would encourage them to make their way to Bright Golf Club this Saturday.”

Terry said while he and Billy were “not the greatest golfers in the world”, they were looking forward to Saturday and admitted they will be careful not to hack their way around the lush greens and fairways.

“Billy and I enjoy nothing more than giving something back,” he said. “We may be political rivals but, first and foremost, we are close friends and have been for a long time. It is great to raise money to help others and it is something we hope to continue doing in the future.

“It is very humbling to see how many people support our fundraisers. As we always say, we cannot thank them enough for their generosity.”

Tee off times for Saturday’s competition are still available by contacting Bright Castle Golf Club, telephone 028 4484 1319.