Bedfordshire Golf Club captain helps drive up thousands of pounds for Sue Ryder
More than £25,000 has been raised for palliative and bereavement support charity Sue Ryder thanks to the dedication of a golf club captain who pledged a year-long commitment to support the cause.
Local businessman David Donnelly took over the captaincy of Bedfordshire Golf Club in January 2025. He chose Sue Ryder, which runs Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in Moggerhanger, as his charity of the year, in a bid to support services that would directly benefit the local community.
“I was adamant that the charity I chose for my year as captain of the club was one with a local presence supporting local people. There is nothing more important than palliative and end-of-life care,” said David. “It made my decision easy.”
During his captaincy, David hosted two events: his Captain’s Day, attended and supported by club members, and his main event, the Charity Captain’s Day in September 2025, which welcomed visiting players.
David explains: “I was fortunate to secure a main sponsor for my charity day, Gallagher Developments, and then all 18 holes were backed by businesses too. I also hosted an auction featuring some fantastic lots, including: five tickets for the international at Twickenham and two tickets donated by Bedford-born singer-songwriter Tom Grennan to his concert, including guest passes. Everyone was so generous.”
Over 100 people took part in the charity day. There were prizes for the winning team, the winning individual, the longest drive, and the nearest the pin.
In total, David helped to raise £25,127, which could fund 837 hours of expert care, so Sue Ryder doctors and nurses can manage patients’ pain and symptoms and make more space for a family’s final days to be filled with love.
“I am delighted with how much money I helped to raise. I feel overwhelmed by the support I received - not only from people at the fantastic club, but from Bedford businesses and the wider community. It’s clear that Sue Ryder is a much-loved charity that people are keen to support,” David adds.
Roisin Duggan, Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, said: “We are blown away by the incredible amount raised through David’s year of captaincy. The money will go a long way in helping the charity provide its vital palliative and bereavement services, because no one should face death or grief alone.”
To find out more about organising your own fundraising event, contact the fundraising team via email at [email protected] or call 01767 642412.
To find out more about Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, visit www.sueryder.org/stjohns