The impressive sum of £40,000 was raised for Surrey-based charity The Children’s Trust from The European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship.
The Children’s Trust is based in Tadworth, Surrey and was appointed the Official Charity of the 2012 BMW PGA Championship. The organisation provides care, education, therapy and rehabilitation to children with multiple disabilities, complex health needs and acquired brain injury. Its residential rehabilitation centre for paediatric acquired brain injury in Tadworth is the largest centre of its type in the UK.
In excess of £29,000 from the total figure was raised from donations by spectators in return for the daily programmes, and the generosity of fans was appreciated by the charity, which helps children such as those who visited Wentworth during the tournament week and enjoyed spending time on the driving range, in the players’ lounge, on the 18th green and on the first tee, where they met European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady and Tim Abbott, BMW UK’s Managing Director.
Other fundraising initiatives took place before and during the week at Wentworth Club, including a competition to caddie for Ryder Cup star Ross Fisher in the Pro-Am, the auctioning of tickets and hospitality packages and a 'Hit the Green' challenge during the Pro-Am, where amateur and professional players alike made a donation to enter.
The total of £40,000 was reached with an additional donation from the Tour Players’ Foundation, the charitable arm of The European Tour.
Andrew Ross, Chief Executive of The Children's Trust, said: "The Children's Trust are delighted to have been Official Charity for the 2012 BMW PGA Championship. We are thrilled with the amount raised, which will make a significant difference to our work with some of the country's most disabled children.
“On behalf of all the children, families, staff and volunteers we would like to give heartfelt thanks to The EuropeanTour, its Tour Players' Foundation, BMW Group and everyone who made a donation."
David Park, European Tour Charity Executive, said: "The total sum raised for the Trust is fantastic and we hope their association with our flagship event has raised the Charity's profile both locally and nationally to allow them to continue the incredible work they do.
“It was amazing to meet some of their children when they visited Wentworth on the Friday of the Championship. They're a true inspiration. A special thanks has to go to the spectators who gave so generously in return for an Official Programme and draw sheet."
