Darren gets behind CLIC Sargent

The UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, CLIC Sargent provide clinical, practical and emotional support for young cancer patients and their families, from diagnosis onwards.

The charity will be the beneficiaries of the 2012 Irish Open Birdie Pledge that will see The Tour Players’ Foundation and the Darren Clarke Foundation each donate £10 per birdie, £20 per eagle and £50 per albatross scored during the four rounds of the Irish Open.

A European Tour event produces an average of 1500 birdies, meaning CLIC Sargent could be in line to receive over £30,000 by the end of the Irish Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club from June 28 – July 1.

CLIC Sargent will channel all of the funds raised during the Irish Open to their Northern Ireland Homes from Home Appeal, which has a goal of providing free self-catering accommodation in Belfast within walking distance of the specialist treatment centers for more than 200 children and young people being treated for cancer in Northern Ireland each year, to alleviate both the financial and physical strain put on the children and families by the travel to and from their treatment sessions.

Reigning Open Champion Clarke said: “I am delighted to team up with the Tour Players’ Foundation to support CLIC Sargent through my own Foundation at this year’s Irish Open. CLIC Sargent is an amazing charity and the work they do with young cancer patients and their families is truly inspirational.

“Hopefully we will have great scoring conditions at Portrush next month and we can raise as much money as possible through the Birdie Pledge.”

Mark Roe, Chair of the Tour Players’ Foundation, said: “To have Darren come on board as a charity partner to the Tour Players’ Foundation at this year’s Irish Open is a huge boost to the tournament and a magnificent gesture from one of the most generous players on Tour. We hope that others will be inspired to follow Darren’s example and partner us both in the Birdie Pledge, helping to raise as much money as possible for this profoundly worthy cause at this year’s Irish Open.”

Barry McGuigan, CLIC Sargent Patron said: “This is a fantastic gesture from Darren Clarke and the Tour Players Foundation and I would like to thank them for their generous support. Families in Northern Ireland travel on average up to 95 miles, five times a week, to receive the cancer treatment their child needs. So we know that CLIC Sargent’s Homes from Home Appeal will make a massive difference to those families.”