FOR many years, Tavistock Golf Club captains, during their year of office, have raised thousands of pounds for charity. 

National and local charities have benefited from the club members' generosity and 2014 was certainly no exception. 

Muscular Dystrophy (Tavistock Support Branch) and Parkinson's UK were captains John Harding's and Bridget Luckham's  chosen charities for their year. 

Representatives from both charities were present at the captains' reception evening.

John Harding said: 'Tavistock is a community golf club and it is a great source of pride to me that our members have worked so hard to raise the magnificent total of £16,000 for charity during 2014. 

'When Bridget and I, at the beginning of our year, discussed fundraising, I did not expect her to climb Kilimanjaro and raise £1,000 which was donated directly to Parkinson's UK!  

'I would also like to thank Phil and Sue Gawman — Phil for organising a charity day which raised £6,000 and Sue, who ran the Torbay Half Marathon and raised £500.  All this has enabled us to support these very worthwhile charities.'

Lady captain Bridget Luckham told members that £5,000 would be going to Parkinson's UK to be used specifically for research and £2,500 to the Tavistock Parkinson's Support Group. 

Mark Hoar, the newly appointed Parkinson's UK volunteer speaker and ambassador for Devon and Cornwall, accepted the cheque on behalf of the charity. He thanked members and said that 85p in every pound went into research and that the money donated by members would certainly be well used. 

Val Evans, organiser of Tavistock Parkinson's Support Group, thanked members for their generosity, not only for this year's donation, but for all their help and support in previous years.

Alison Carreck, chair of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign (Tavistock Group) was presented with a cheque for £7,500 by Mr Harding.  

Alison said how important the money was in helping patients, families and carers and how Muscular Dystrophy can affect all ages. 

The local group also provides respite for 14 young people every year costing a lot of money for a special venue that can cope with wheelchairs, with specially adapted bathrooms and other facilities. She gave thanks to Tavistock members for their great generosity and assured them that the money would be well used.