A record-breaking charity golf day at Wrag Barn Golf Club has raised over £25,000 for a much-loved Swindon children’s cancer charity, in what marked the 30th anniversary of the event.
Thirty-one teams of golfers teed off in support of CALM – Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Movement – a local charity that has quietly but powerfully supported hundreds of families across Swindon and the surrounding areas since 1984.
Held in June under bright skies and a warm community spirit, the milestone event at the course near Highworth brought together 124 golfers. The Deputy Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Neil Hopkins, was on hand to launch proceedings with a ceremonial tee-off.
The competition followed a familiar yet much-loved format: a 9-hole Texas Scramble in the morning, followed by an 18-hole Bowmaker in the afternoon.
But it was the evening prize giving that brought a genuine pause for reflection.
Swindon’s own Ruby Coward, now 22, delivered a deeply personal speech that reminded everyone why CALM’s work is so vital. Diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma – a rare form of eye cancer – at just 15 months old, Ruby spoke movingly of her journey and the support CALM provided to her and her family along the way.
Thanks to early treatment from hospitals across the region and London, she is now fit and well – and still has both her eyes.
Much of the day’s success came down to sponsorship, with headline backing from RPS Group, Imagine Cruising, and First Choice Ireland. Dozens more local businesses rallied round to sponsor individual holes and donate prizes, proving once again how strong Swindon’s business community can be when it comes together.
The overall champions were Muscat & Co, captained by Len Muscat, who walked away with the CALM Charity Team Challenge Trophy and a golfing holiday to Ireland. Angela Perry was named leading lady, while Matt Simpkins claimed the John Lyford Memorial Trophy as the top individual player.
CALM chairman Richard Crowley summed up the day with sincere gratitude: “We’re blown away with the support for our 30th annual golf day. To raise £25,000 in one day was beyond our wildest expectations.
“As many people know, it’s becoming harder to attract sponsorship and participants, but this year’s event bucked the trend. It wouldn’t have been possible without our committee volunteers and the backing of Matt, Nick and Newman Floyd.
“The money raised will help fund our convalescent holiday programme, giving children and families vital respite between rounds of cancer treatment.”
CALM remains entirely volunteer-run, with no paid staff, but must still raise nearly £100,000 annually to continue its work. The money supports everything from day trips and social events to direct financial aid and those all-important holiday breaks for families during treatment.
To find out more or to support the charity, visit https://calmcharity.org
Article from The Swindonian
