Golfers got to meet their club’s namesake after raising thousands of pounds to help train specialist assistance dogs.
Abbeydale Golf Club raised more than £20,000 after hosting a number of fundraising events for Sheffield-based national charity Support Dogs – which trains and provides assistance dogs to support autistic children, as well as adults affected by epilepsy or physical disability.
The club was rewarded for its fundraising efforts by having a trainee support dog – yellow lab Abbey – named in its honour.
During a visit to Support Dogs’ new headquarters at Elsworth House in Hillsborough, Andy Daykin, the club’s 2023-24 men’s captain, said: “Abbeydale is a thriving and progressive golf club. [Ladies’ captain] Nikki and I are delighted that we were able to raise sufficient funds during our captaincy to sponsor a support dog, with much of the thanks going to the help of our members. We were delighted to meet Abbey and will follow her progress as an assistance dog with interest. We are really impressed with Support Dogs’ new centre – it’s going to be amazing. Support Dogs is one of the charities that is under-supported and we are delighted to have been able to help. If other golf clubs followed suit, it would really help the charity to thrive.”
Nikki, the club’s 2023-24 ladies’ captain, said: “We were thrilled to meet Abbey – she’s beautiful. The new centre is going to be absolutely breathtaking. It’s only been since our captaincy that I’ve come to discover more about what this fantastic charity does to help people affected by autism, epilepsy and disability.”
Steve Silverwood from ECA Business Energy added: “We were proud to be sponsors of Abbeydale’s Captain’s Charity Day, helping to raise an incredible £20,000 in support of Support Dogs. This fantastic charity provides life-changing assistance dogs and we’re delighted to have played a part in supporting their vital work.”
Tess Thompson, community fundraising manager at Support Dogs, added: “We can’t thank the golfers enough for their efforts and we are delighted that Abbey serves as a testament to their hard work. Our charity receives no government funding and the support of golf clubs like Abbeydale is crucial to our success in helping vulnerable people to live more independently. We would welcome any other golf clubs to get in touch.”
To find out more about Support Dogs, visit www.supportdogs.org.uk
