teeing off for mencap
TRANSCRIPT
Watford Mencap has had a welcome boost to its funds after hosting a star-studded charity golf day, organised by star of the small and big screen Warren Clarke. Thecharitygolfday,heldlastmonthatBeaconsfieldgolf course, aimed to raise £10,000 for the WatfordMencap Children’s Centre in St Albans Road, northWatford, with Dalziel and Pascoe star Warren Clarkejoinedbyawholehostofcelebritiesforaroundofgolfonthe18-holecourse,followedbyanauction,dinneranddancing. ThisisthesecondyearthatWarren,whoaswellasmanyTVappearanceshasalsohadfilmrolesincludingin A Clockwork Orange and Crusoe, has organisedthegolfdayinaidofWatfordMencapandMyNewscaughtupwithhimbeforeheheadedoutontothegreentofindoutwhytheMencapChildren’sCentrehascometomeansomuchtohim. “I’ve organised various golf events in the pastand when Watford Mencap approached me aboutorganisingoneforthemacoupleofyearsagoandIwaspleasedtogetinvolved. “IvisitedtheChildren’sCentrelastyearandmetthekidsthere.Itwasgreattoseetheworkthatthey
doandhowthecashraisedbenefitsthepeoplewhoneeditmost.Ihopetobeabletoreturntothecentresoontopresentachequeforthetotalamountraisedtoday.” Thecharitygolfdaysaw16teamsofthreetakingpart in this year’s event, with each one joined by acelebrityteam-mate.CelebritiesshowingofftheirgolfswingonthedayalongwithWarrenClarkeincludedDennis Waterman, former world light-heavyweightboxing champion John Conteh and former Englandand Watford FC footballing legend Luther Blissett.Another formerWatford FC player,Tommy Mooney,who now plays in Spain, flew in especially for theeventandsaidhewasdelightedtolendhissupporttosuchaworthwhilecause. Theevent,whichaswellasaroundofgolfalsoincluded evening entertainment with a Tom Jonesimpersonator, comedians, auction, dinner anddancingtolivemusicfrombandGrandCentral,hopedtoraisethousandsofpoundsfortheWatfordcharitywhich works with people with learning disabilities,their familiesandcarers.However,Warrenwaskeentostressthatthedaywasasmuchabouthavingfunas raisingmoneyandthat in thesetougheconomic
timesanyamountraisedwouldbebeneficialtotheChildren’sCentre. “It’s important not to get greedy with thesethings,”WarrentoldMyNews.“Ihopethateveryoneinvolved today goes out there and has good fun,becausethat’swhat it’sallabout.Hopefullypeoplewillputtheirhandintheirpocketalongthewayandwecanraiseafewpoundsforthecharity.” Warren,whowillbeappearinginanewcomedyseriescalledGroundedfortheBBCthisautumn,wasalsomodestwhenaskedabouthisowngolfingskills,saying:“I’vebeenplayinggolffor20yearsorsobutI’mcertainlynoTigerWoods.It’sallaboutthecrack,thewinningdoesn’tmatter.” While it was the taking part that counted,the atmosphere on the course did inevitably getcompetitive on the day, with Tommy Mooney andhisteam-matesChrisMellor,RoyRowlandandColinGraywholiftedthewinner’strophy.
All the money raised from the Warren Clarke’scharity golf day will go directly to Watford MencapChildren’s Centre in north Watford, which supportsaround150childrenwithlearningandphysicaldisabilities.
FundingManagerVeronicaChamberlainexplainedwhatfundraisingeventslikethismeantothecharity.“The Children’s Centre offers a lifeline to the parentsandcarersofchildrenwhohaveadisability.It’sdifficultenough bringing up a child but those with learningandsometimesalsophysicaldisabilitiesdemandevenmoreofyourtime. “We provide an after-school club five eveningsaweek,plusaSaturdayclub,youthclubandholidayplayschemes.JustoverhalfofourcostsarecoveredbyHertfordshireCountyCouncil,whichleavesuswithabiggaptofilltobeabletokeepofferingtheseservicestothecommunityandsowearetremendouslygratefultoWarrenClarkeforhostingthiseventonourbehalfandtoallthesponsorsfortheirgenerosity.” Next year the charity will celebrate its 60thanniversary with a Diamond Jubilee Ball.The eventwilltakeplaceattheWatfordHiltonHotelonSaturday29thJanuaryandticketsareavailablenowbycallingGill on 07785 593306 or email: [email protected]
by Kelly Lavender
Images:SKMStudioCorporatePhotography.SKMStudioCopyright©2010
Celebrities tee off forDennis Waterman, Warren Clarke, golfer Ian Proddow and comedian Jerry Stevens
Watford Legend Luther Blissett with Keith O’Keefe
Watford Mencap Funding Manager Veronica Chamberlain with Tommy Mooney