VICAR'S Cross Golf Club captain and lady captain for 2017 both chose to support the Babygrow Appeal as their charity of the year.

Lady captain, Laura Markham and Neil Waite, captain came to look around the unit before they started fundraising and were both motivated by what they saw and were determined to raise as much as possible.

They had a very busy year and raised a total of £4,820. Although there was a lot of competition between the ladies and the men to see who could raise the biggest amount, the outcome was very close.

Fundraising included raffles, coffee mornings, bridge drive, charity golf competitions and a series of Captain & Professional Challenge matches.

The cheque was one of the final ones to be presented to the Babygrow Appeal and plans for the new unit are currently being drawn up by clinical staff and architects.

Mr Waite said: “It has been a real privilege to raise funds for a great cause. Three of my children and my granddaughter were born at the Countess of Chester Hospital, so I wanted to support a local charity close to my heart during my year of office. Laura has been wonderfully supportive during the year and it’s been fun trying to see who could raise the most money”

Kathy Kenney, community fundraiser at the Countess of Chester Hospital, said: “This was a fantastic amount to raise and as well as thanking Neil and Laura we would like to thank all the members of Vicars Cross Golf Club for their generous support for the Babygrow Appeal.”

If you belong to a golf club and would like to help by fundraising for The Countess Charity and help us provide more for our patients please call Kathy on 01244 366240 or email kathy.kenney@nhs.net