Golf Club drives funds for SSAFA off the scale!

19 December 2022

On Saturday 17 December, Ashley Wood Golf Club hosted a lunch for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity to present a large cheque for the year’s fundraising activities.

The club has strong military links, with 10 per cent serving or ex-military membership, 25 of those being Gurkhas.

Throughout 2022, members raised a whopping £8,950 under the stewardship of Chris Wyatt (Captain of the Golf Club) and Maxine Palmer (Ladies’ Captain). Maxine is one of the Royal Navy veterans of the membership and a driving force behind their fundraising effort. This amount is more than an additional £3,000 compared to last year’s gift of £5,207

Terry Canham, SSAFA Dorset Chair said: “What an incredible achievement and all from the generosity of the members. On behalf of SSAFA. Thank you!”

Receiving the cheque on behalf of SSAFA was the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell, who also holds the position of President of SSAFA Dorset.

The funds go towards the good work of SSAFA in Dorset. Like most SSAFA branches, SSAFA Dorset regularly assists struggling veterans with cost of living bills and gives moral and practical assistance.

For example, Mark, a veteran, was a committed fundraiser for the charity. While completing a charitable marathon Mark sustained injuries to his knees, which meant he could no longer run. This sorely affected his mental health and, due to his condition, Mark started to put on weight and his physical health was impacted further. On medical advice, Mark was told to take up a non-impact sport and he decided on road racing; he felt he could continue his fundraising journey through cycling. However, road bikes are expensive pieces of kit. Mark approached SSAFA for help in purchasing a suitable bike - and now he is already planning his next fundraising challenge.

Some stories’ outcomes are not as straight forwards as Mark’s. Often treatment or assistance for SSAFA clients results in long term support being required. Local funding for the charity is vital to enable the case workers continue to this support.