Friday, 23 July 2010
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Today was the my Annual Charity Golf Day. We were greeted by the
Billingham Golf Club Captain on a lovely fresh and sunny morning where we
had a cup of coffee with Neil Schneider and watched Jas Lang and Neil
Russell busy sorting out the teams and starting times. Marjorie and I
joined the first team of golfers, who were last year's winning team, on the
first tee for photographs before they teed off. The events team
didn't let Marjorie and I get away without having to putt on the starter
green, which I must say Marjorie was better than me.
We then went to a presentation event for the Stockton Prince's Trust Team
63 at the Margaret Armstrong Theatre, Stockton Riverside College.
The college car park was rather quiet when we arrived as it was the
start of the summer recess. We were welcomed to the theatre by several of
the young people who had taken part in this 12 week course and also by Roye
Tribe one of the instructors who showed us to our seats.
It was then over to the young people who gave a presentation of the course
and what difference it had made to their self confidence, team building and
leadership skills. They each spoke of what they had gained from the
course and how they had enjoyed it.
They had a one week residential stay at an outward bound facility which
brought home to them the message that you can't rely only on yourself all
the time and need to be a team player at times of need. They all
enjoyed getting wet and muddy during the residential week - as young people
do.
It was good to hear that their own job interview skills had improved and
how they felt more confident when applying for jobs. Several had been
accepted for further education courses or had jobs to go to. Some of
the young people were absent from the presentation as they had job
interviews and they would get their certificates at a later date. Marjorie
and I wished these young people all the best and hopefully success in their
interviews.
It was a proud moment for me to say a few words of encouragement and point
out that they will have knocks in their future, but the course should have
given them the grounding to get over them and progress further.
It was then time for presentation of the certificates and photographs
before our buffet lunch with the young people. Both Marjorie and I
had time to talk to the young people and their instructors, who were very
proud of what the young people had achieved on the course.
This evening we returned to the Billingham Golf Club for a meal and the
presentation of the prizes for the Golf Day. Before the prize
presentation I said a few words about my charities, Stockton's Cornerhouse
Project, the Dave Rayner Cycling Fund and small local charities, to
give everyone present some idea of what the funds raised would be used
for.
Everyone agreed that it had been a good day weather-wise and they had
enjoyed a good round of golf. Marjorie was given the job of drawing
the raffle and the table was full of prizes.
Both Marjorie and I would like to give thanks to the Golf Day sponsors as
my charity fund has benefited from the funds raised.
A special thanks from Marjorie and I goes to Jas Lang and Neil Russell for
their sterling efforts to organise such a successful Charity Golf
Day.
Friday 23rd July 2010
