A TEAM of golfers have gone above and beyond the call of duty by raising thousands to support a life-saving charity close to their hearts.

Enthusiastic golfers from the Essex Golf and Country Club, in Earls Colne, have helped to support people living with cancer in Colchester and the surrounding areas by raising an incredible £12,680 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The ladies, seniors and captains teams at the club all selected Macmillan as their chosen charity of the year due to the personal connection and support that several members of the club have received in the past from Macmillan.

They ran a full programme of social events and activities throughout 2022 to raise money to help others.

Seniors captain Michael Baker decided to nominate Macmillan due to the invaluable care and support that was provided to his children’s mother a few years ago.

Club treasurer Julian Baines has always remained grateful to Macmillan due to the support and kindness that was shown by the team at Macmillan to his mother in her final days.

Macmillan spokesman Alex Howe said: “As an organisation that is 98 per cent funded by public donations it is truly heart-warming to see the amazing efforts the members of the Essex Golf and Country Club have gone to, to help us to support people living with cancer.

“We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed, as these precious funds will help us to fund a variety of our support services, including our Macmillan nurses, our telephone support line service and our Macmillan financial grants to help people diagnosed with cancer to manage the cost of living.”   

Thanks to the hard work of so many members of the golf club this year, and all those who supported them, the fantastic amount raised will ensure that even more people in Essex who are living with cancer will receive the help and support they need.