Europe’s disabled golfers given a proper send-off as Derby fundraiser reaches £15,000
The corporate event, which took place at Morley Hayes this week, was organised to help with the travel and accommodation costs to ensure 16 players from across the continent can line up against a USA team when the Cup tees off next month.
The Cairns Cup is disability golf’s premier matchplay event and resembles the Ryder Cup, with a three day with a four-ball, foursomes and singles rounds, contested by golfers with a range of disabilities, including paralysis, cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s.
Among those who will line up for Europe in the Cup will be vice-captain Kris Aves, who lost the use of his legs when he was struck by a van driven by a terrorist in London in 2017, and James Gallagher, who has cerebral palsy.
Both Kris and James were also present at this week’s event, which was organised and sponsored by South Normanton’s full-service marketing agency Purpose Media and Derby-based S O’Brien Heating Solutions.
They invited firms across the East Midlands to take part in a day’s worth of golf, ending with a charity auction which added a few more 0’s to the final total.
Matt Wheatcroft, managing director of Purpose Media, said: “Our target for the event was £10,000 so everyone delighted that we smashed that on our way to raising such an incredible amount of money.
“Kris gave a very compelling speech during the prize-giving and was out and about on the course, while James was running a putting competition, so everyone got to see what they could do and learn more about disabled golf and the Cairns Cup.
“I’ve been involved with the Cairns Cup for nearly 10 years now and I am always looking to help them. I’ve had two horrendous injuries in the past and so I understand where these guys are and how important being able to play sport is.”
Stephen O’Brien, who owns S O’Brien Heating Solutions, added: “We wanted to raise awareness of disabled golf as well as raise lots of money to help send the team to the USA and we’ve certainly achieved that.
“We’re extremely grateful to all the teams who came along on the day and made it such an incredible event. So many people
The Cairns Cup takes place Cherry Creek Golf Club in Detroit at the end of July, where the European team will be looking to avenge their defeat from when the Cup was last contested at the Shire Golf Club two years ago.