Golfers go walkies for guide dogs

Brothers Glenn and Ricky Mann, Aaron Wilson and Brian Galway were sponsored to play one hole at each of the different courses as part of the Mann family’s charity golf day and fundraiser at Cairndhu on Friday in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind NI. Also vital to the team were drivers Brian Houston and Tony Weatherhead, who helped to keep them on time as much as possible throughout the day.

Teeing off at 5.45am at Castlerock, they worked their way round courses as varied as Portstewart, Royal Portrush, Galgorm, Massereene, Greenacres, Greenisland and Whitehead, finally finishing up at Cairndhu to the applause of those who had taken part in the charity golf event there during the day.

“Although it was pretty tiring – we were up at 4.15am on Friday – it was well worth it and we are just delighted the whole day has raised so much,” said Glenn.

“We had a live leader board back in Cairndhu and when I sent my wife a text about where we were at any given time, she put the information up on the board. At the end of the day, Aaron was pronounced the winner, with Ricky and Brian not far behind,” he added.

Planning for the charity day began eight months ago with Glenn and Ricky Mann hoping to raise as much money as possible for Guide Dogs for the Blind NI in recognition of how much benefit their mum Carol continues to receive from her guide dogs.

A charity golf competition attracted 202 players and, in the evening, an auction – with a variety of great items including a 3-wood signed by recently crowned US Open winner Graeme McDowell, a trio of hats signed by McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Gareth Maybin, and signed Snow Patrol photographs – all went under the hammer.

“We had dreamed of reaching 10,000 which would allow us to ‘name’ two guide dog pups. We thought that would simply be fantastic. But to have been able to hand over a cheque for 12,500 on Friday night was just unbelievable. There was a big cheer and plenty of tears when it was presented,” said Glenn.

“We’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone who supported us in any way, by donating items, sponsorship, playing golf on the day, or whatever. It was a fantastic effort and we are just delighted it has managed to raise so much, with the likelihood that even more money will still come in,” he said.