We had a chat with Pat Coyle, Director of Marketing and Client Relations at Rollits, about the local law firm’s recent charity event.
The last few weeks have been wet and gloomy, but they were preceded by sunny weather that was perfect for the Rollits Annual Charity Golf Day that took place on Thursday 6 July at Brough Golf Club. We asked Pat Coyle to tell us a little more about this popular event that attracts many companies from the regional business community.
“The event was first launched in the mid-eighties, originally raising funds for the local branch of Muscular Dystrophy UK. It immediately proved so popular that thirty years ago the organisers decided to add another charity – Dove House Hospice – to the beneficiaries, and our Annual Charity Golf Day has been raising money for the two charities ever since. Each year representatives from both charities come along to chat with attendees and share valuable advice, making it a very strong community event that’s become a staple of the regional golfing calendar.”
Organised by Rollits with invaluable support from Richard Jagger of Brough Golf Club and Oliver Cross from the Pro’s Shop, the event sees numerous local businesses coming together to compete in a stableford event.
“We’re so lucky to be supported by so many businesses and individuals,” said Pat. “This year we had 19 teams, which is very good considering how many golf days there are in the local area. All 18 holes were sponsored and many companies also donated prizes and supported the raffle on the day. It was great to see so many familiar faces and a lot of new ones too, as the event gets a lot of interest from the business communities in Hull, East Yorkshire and further afield.”
The Rollits Annual Charity Golf Day is always held on the first Thursday of July. The only exception in the last 38 years was in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible to organise an event. Instead, Rollits ran a virtual fundraising campaign so that it could continue to raise money for the charities when they needed it most.
“It really was a wonderful day this year,” said Pat. “In addition to organising it, Rollits entered two of our own teams, and sponsored the first and second prizes. The team from Victory Leisure Homes won first place for the second year running, with MKM taking the runner-up prize.”
As well as being an enjoyable day out, the Rollits Annual Charity Golf Day raised over £3,500, which is split equally between the two charities.
Brian Deehan of the East Yorkshire branch of MDUK said:
“Muscular Dystrophy UK leads the fight against muscle disease. We provide free care and support for babies, children and adults affected by muscle disease, fund world-class research to find treatments and ultimately cures, provide grants towards equipment, and campaign to raise awareness and bring about change. We believe passionately that there should be no limits in life for people affected by muscle-wasting conditions.
“The first ever gene therapy for a neuromuscular condition is now available to babies and children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Many more gene therapies are being developed to treat over 70 different conditions and Newcastle University have created a diagnostic tool using Artificial Intelligence to accurately identify those conditions. This tool will be available free to clinicians across the globe and enable accurate diagnoses and early intervention.
“Thanks to Rollits, Brough Golf Club, sponsors and the teams for their generous support, now into its 38th year. All of the above could not have taken place without the generosity of people such as you.”
Jethro Shearring of Dove House Hospice said:
“Set in beautiful gardens, just off Chamberlain Road, Hull, Dove House Hospice offers a home from home atmosphere, providing expert specialist care to adults living with progressive life-limiting diseases including, but not limited to, cancer, neurological illnesses, heart diseases and respiratory diseases.
“With only a very limited amount of central funding available, this care is only made possible due to local organisations and events such as the charity golf day. 2023 is a special year, as it marks an amazing thirty years of support from Rollits. We are so grateful to Pat Coyle and the team at Rollits, who work extremely hard to make the event a reality.
“Every pound raised from the golf day will help to make a crucial difference as the hospice continues to recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic. Support at this time will help to provide ongoing care alongside the emergence of new community services, including a bereavement support group, social isolation support group and our child bereavement support service.
“On behalf of everyone at the hospice, thank you so much for your generous support.”
If you’d like to support these two crucial charities, please visit the Dove House Hospice and Muscular Dystrophy UK websites. To find out more about Rollits, please visit www.rollits.com