THE Covid-19 pandemic has not stopped members at York Golf Club from being on target - raising over £15,000 for a local hospice over the course of the last year.

The club chose the St Leonard's Hospice as its charity of the year after the suggestion by lady captain and former nurse at the hospice, Carolyn Francis.

Carolyn said: “The natural thing for me to do in my fundraising year as lady captain was to support St Leonard’s Hospice. It is a charity close to my heart having worked there as a staff nurse for over two decades.

“To have achieved what we have in lockdown is a joint effort between ourselves and all members of the club. Simon and I would like to thank every club member who contributed."

Carolyn, who worked at St Leonard's for 22 years, was assisted in the fundraising mission by men’s captain, Simon Smales.

He agreed with Carolyn’s suggestion to support the charity, recognising the work St Leonard’s does for the local community and after having a close friend cared for by the hospice.

The team used the hospice’s sunflower logo as inspiration for its fundraising theme and started the year with a challenge of who could grow the tallest sunflower.

Simon commended Carolyn’s creative ideas, which also included a couples ‘challenge the captains’ golf game, a York in lockdown calendar and a Christmas sale.

Other highlights included taking part in our ‘It’s Not the Midnight Walk’, a virtual twist on the charity’s annual Midnight Walk.

Carolyn was recognised by England Golf for her efforts in looking after lady members during lockdown with an ‘unsung hero’ award. “It was easy and natural for me to do this having nursed at St Leonard’s all those years", she added.