A team of eight novice golfers from vegetation management and landscaping specialist VMS Ltd has completed a challenging 72 holes of golf in one day, raising awareness and vital funds of £1380 for Prostate Cancer UK.
The Big Golf Race fundraising challenge teed off the fairway of Crookhill Park Golf Course in Conisbrough, South Yorkshire, at 6am on Friday 12th June, with the eight-man team completing the equivalent of four full rounds of golf, walking a distance of around 30 kilometres in under 15 hours.
Taking on the impressive challenge were VMS employees Ben Davies, Lewis Peddie, Wayne Lawton, Jay Parker, Luke Holloway, Tom Martin, Ricky Tate and Mat Graham.
Speaking on the collective achievement, Ben Davies, operations director at VMS Ltd, said: “It feels amazing to have completed the 72 holes.
“We started at 6am and completed the rounds just before 8.30pm. We have some very sore and aching golfers at work!
“On behalf of the whole team, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who donated, shared our fundraising page, sent messages of support, or encouraged us throughout the day. The money raised will go to Prostate Cancer UK, supporting the vital work that they do for men and families across the UK.
“A big thank you must also go out to Crookhill Park Golf Course who kindly offered us their course for the day so that we could complete the challenge.”
Since launching in 2020, The Big Golf Race, in association with Charles Tyrwhit, has become a standout fixture in the UK golfing calendar, with more than 10,000 golfers raising over £6 million to help revolutionise the way prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated.
With prostate cancer affecting 1 in 8 men in the UK, Prostate Cancer UK is urging golfers to come together this summer to help save dads, grandads, brothers, partners and friends from a disease that is now the most commonly diagnosed in the UK yet is the only major cancer without a screening programme. Their efforts will support life-saving research like the £42 million TRANSFORM trial, the most ambitious prostate cancer screening trial in 20 years, which began recruiting men last year.
Seren Evans, Senior Head of Mass Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “A huge congratulations to the intrepid octet from VMS Ltd for completing their Big Golf Race, and we’re thrilled to see such a brilliant fundraising total.
“The Big Golf Race is about so much more than just golf; together, we are saving lives with every swing. By signing up to The Big Golf Race this year the VMS Ltd team have not only had an epic day out on the golf course, but they’ve also done something incredibly powerful that will have a big impact for men affected by prostate cancer and their families.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, and the only major cancer without a screening programme. The Big Golf Race is the golfing community’s chance to use their passion for the game to drive real change in men’s health in the UK. Over 10,000 golfers have helped make a difference so far, and every swing helps fund lifesaving prostate cancer research, raise awareness, and moves us closer to a future where men can find prostate cancer early enough to be cured.”
To support the VMS team and make a donation, visit the VMS Fundraising page.
