World of Golf Pays Tribute to our Heroes

On Saturday July 17th, a Charity Dinner in aid of Help for Heroes was held at The Open Championship at St Andrews by kind permission of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club’s Championship Committee.

His Royal Highness The Duke of York attended and other celebrities included former Open Champions Peter Thomson and Sir Nick Faldo and Master of Ceremonies, Mark Austin from ITN.

After the 306 guests had enjoyed a superb dinner, Ronnie Corbett was at his brilliant best before Major General Gordon Messenger DSO* spoke most impressively and movingly about the challenges facing our troops in Afghanistan and the vital need to provide support for those who are injured in body and mind.

A Help for Heroes DVD re-emphasised the need for this support and it was wonderful to see the guests responding so generously in the auction which followed. A mouth-watering selection of ‘money can’t buy’ lots raised the magnificent sum of £163,000 which included £2500 for an additional lot - a Hero Bear!

Lieutenant General Barney White-Spunner MBE closed the evening by thanking everyone for their wonderfully generous support of our serving men and women.

The Dinner Committee is deeply indebted to the large number of people (too many to mention by name) who contributed in so many different ways to the success of the evening. One of the highlights was the presence of so many members of the Services.

The Royal Navy provided a team of Officers and Senior NCOs, 1 Scots came from Edinburgh, 45 Commando Royal Marines from Arbroath and the RAF from Leuchars.

In addition, Pipers from the Army School of Bagpipe Music Edinburgh added a special Scottish flavor to the evening.

The final amount raised (after expenses) was £287,000. It had been a truly memorable evening, admirably summed up by one guest who said:

"We all owe a massive debt to the men and women in our Services and I hope by being present here tonight we have, in some small way, been able to demonstrate to them our respect and gratitude for all they do for us".

 

Photos credited to Russ Perkin and Jason Hall: both are ex Royal Marines.