A record £5,000 was raised for local charity Somerset Sight at this year’s Somerset Chamber of Commerce charity golf day.
Held at Oake Manor Golf Club on 14 August, the Chamber’s twelfth annual golf day was a huge success, attracting over 70 business people across 18 teams. Cranmer’s Optometrists won the day, closely followed by Evosite only one point behind.
As well as playing a round of golf, participants were given the opportunity to try blindfolded putting and blindfolded food tasting to help them understand what it is like to have to rely on senses other than sight. A two-course dinner was provided in the evening and there were presentations to the day’s winners, as well as a charity raffle and auction.
Kate Webb from the Cranmer’s Optometrists winning team commented, “What a great day Cranmer’s Optometrists had at Oake Manor Golf Club! We were honoured to be supporting Somerset Sight with their auction to raise much needed funds for the charity. We had a great time out on the course and the whole day was very well organised. We were delighted and totally surprised that our team won the overall golf competition.”
Founded in 1919, Somerset Sight aims to empower blind and partially sighted people to live full and independent lives despite sight loss. Today it provides low visual aids, lighting magnifiers and technology to support over 3,500 blind and visually impaired people of all ages and their families in Somerset.
Holly Sutton, Fundraising and Development Officer at Somerset Sight, said, “We were thrilled to be chosen as the beneficiary of Somerset Chamber’s annual golf day this year. It was a fabulous day and we raised a fantastic amount of money. Thank you to all the businesses that took part and gave very generously. The money will help Somerset Sight support more visually impaired and blind people in our local area.”
Atlas Safety Management sponsored the blindfolded putting competition, bringing helmets, safety gloves and goggles blacked out for the event, so the golfers could try putting their ball without being able to see.
Debbie Clack from Atlas Safety Management commented, “Everyone enjoyed the blind putting competition, it brought people together and was a great team building exercise. Attendees were generous to donate as they took part, and all in all I think we achieved what we set out to. The whole day was a great opportunity for businesses to mix, get to know each other’s strengths, and understand how we could help each other in the future, along with a lovely meal and auction to finish the day.”
Alistair Tudor, Head of Chamber Services at Somerset Chamber of Commerce, summed up the day saying, “What a great way of supporting a local charity! The weather was very kind to us and the turn out, as always, was fantastic, with over 70 golfers enjoying the golf and other fundraising activities. It’s wonderful to be able to directly support a local charity at this event each year but it is only possible thanks to the generosity of the local Somerset business community. Our thanks go to sponsors ITEC, Evosite, Amberley Management, Jelf Insurance and Atlas Safety Management, as well as those who generously sponsored holes on the day.”
Somerset Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based business support organisation that promotes and lobbies for business development in Somerset in order to encourage a vibrant local economy. Accredited to the British Chambers of Commerce, Somerset Chamber ensures that member businesses stay well connected at a local, regional and national level, and that the voice of the Somerset business community is heard at all levels of government.