Published on 28.08.22

Ex-footballers raise over £22,500 for Winchester Hospice at charity golf day

A group of ex-footballers and celebrity figures have attended a private golf day event, raising £22,790 to support Winchester Hospice.

Over 80 people came together for the day back in April, which was organised by ex-Southampton and Welsh international goalkeeper Paul Jones and his wife Annette, alongside friends Mandy and Keith Larner.

The MJL Golf Day was named after event organiser Mandy, who was treated by staff at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital (RHCH) in 2019. The event was the second of its kind and has enabled Mandy to say thank you to NHS staff following her treatment.

Held at the Remedy Oak Golf Club, the day raised over £45,000, which has been split between two charities: the Winchester Hospice and Prostate Cancer UK.

The funds raised came not only from on-the-day support, but also through a large auction with money-can’t-buy prizes such as rounds of golf with European Tour professionals Robert Rock and Steve Brown as well as super yacht trips to the Isle of Wight.

Returning next year, the event will continue to support Winchester Hospice and has already sold out for 2023.

Mandy Larner, organiser, says: “I am absolutely thrilled that we have raised such a great sum from what was a wonderful day! As a former patient receiving treatment on Nick Jonas ward [RHCH] in Winchester, I really wanted to support Winchester Hospice to help ensure that specialist care can continue to be accessed by those that need it.”

Steph Killick, palliative medicine consultant at Winchester Hospice, says: “It is truly remarkable to see this kind of generosity from so many people - we can’t thank Mandy and everyone involved enough.

“This money will enable us to do so much within the hospice and we’re so grateful to have the support of this event for a second time.”