MEMBERS of Burnham-on-Sea and Berrow Golf Club gave £9,600 to the Friends of Burnham Hospital after a year of fundraising.

At the beginning of 2017, club captain Peter Amos and ladies captain Jane Moreton met club president David Jenkins and seniors captain Ray French to discuss their charity efforts.

And the quartet decided to raise funds for the YMCA Somerset Coast and The Friends of Burnham Hospital throughout the year.

The team hosted a number of successful fundraising events throughout the year including a charity golf tournament, a number of raffles and a silent auction and raised a total of £9,600 for the charity.

Jane Moreton, ladies captain at Burnham and Berrow Golf Club, said the club was motivated to raise funds for the Friends after seeing first hand the work they do.

“Peter and I have had personal experience of the work done by the hospital and the importance of the Friends to provide extra equipment and facilities,” Jane said.

“We were delighted with the result and thanks must go to everyone at the club who contributed over the 12 months.”

The club also handed over a cheque for £2,000 to YMCA Somerset Coast, which helps young people find accommodation and work so they can start building their future.

Ceri Joyce, from Friends of Burnham Hospital, said she was left speechless when she discovered they had raised the funds.

“It’s not often that anyone leaves me and Bernard (chairman of The Friends of Burnham Hospital) speechless but we were amazed at the generosity of the people and golf club members who have donated.

“The Friends were shocked at the enormous sum the golf club had managed to collect in just one year and were overwhelmed and delighted to be the main recipient.

“Peter and Jane put in a lot of hard work so I would like to say a big thank you to them.”

The Friends group has raised more than £2million for the hospital since 1966 and invested funds in a new equipment and refurbishment of the hospital’s main entrance, day room and kitchen.

The charity is run by volunteers and their fundraising is done through a number of events and donations through their website.

Ceri says The Friends group is currently in talks to decide what they will spend the money on and says she hopes the it will be spent on new equipment for the hospital.

“There are already discussions on equipment they are hoping to purchase with some of the money,” Ceri said.

“Once the outcome is known, members of the golf club will be invited to participate in the presentation to the hospital.”