S&G Response has reached their decade milestone, and what better way to celebrate than raising awareness and much needed funds for local charity, The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT). In anticipation of the Charity Golf Day a £10,000 goal was set, £10k for 10 years seemed appropriate, but the target was quickly exceeded by an incredible £5,000.
On the morning of Thursday 29th August, exactly 10 years from when S&G Response was founded, a team of S&G Response employees and support workers from the CAFT charity eagerly awaited the arrival of over 100 industry professionals at Mottram Hall Golf Course. Guests eased into the morning with hot coffee, crisp bacon baps and a few treats from their S&G Response gift bags. Donations poured in right from the offset, beginning with players purchasing balloon mulligans – allowing players up to three “do-overs” if they hit a few bad shots. The balloons sold out in no time – everyone was definitely feeling competitive before they’d even hit the green.
The day was packed full of entertainment and the usual golf competitions, some with a special twist; instead of ‘Beat the Pro’ there was ‘Beat the Paul’. Business Development Manager, Paul Wilkinson provided some good competition for the players with only 5 out of 84 players managing to out swing him! For a game, in jest, named ‘Stoney Henge’, players attempted to lob a ball over an 8ft cardboard cut-out of S&G Response’s Finance Director, Nick Stone, in true Phil Mickleson style. All players made a donation to get involved in the competitions, with the speed challenge being by far the funniest for onlookers with players rushing to buggies while some were sprinting from ball to ball to figure our which belonged to them before taking their next shot.
While players were shooting at his cardboard cut-out, the real Nick Stone was in better spirits as he was dashing around the course on a drinks buggy to ensure no player went thirsty!
Once evening began and the guests had beer and BBQ dinner to hand, there were trophies and champagne awarded to the more talented players of the day. Next up, the charity auction, which included some fantastic and sought after prizes, generous bids quickly put us over the top of our £10,000 target. The night finished on a high note with evening entertainment from singer Matt Shaw and everyone celebrating the only way they know how – very close to the bar.
Altrincham based charity, The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust, provide a variety of free holiday programmes and day trips for terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children. The Adventure Farm is a truly extraordinary place that gives children well needed respite and the opportunity to play and laugh, and simply enjoy being children. They even cater for carers and family members to holiday with them too, making their visit as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
S&G Response Commercial Director, Dan Chesney, commented ‘We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the business’ 10th Anniversary than to host a golf day for our valued clients, industry friends and partners whilst simultaneously raising funds for such a wonderful, heart-warming cause. The day went off without a hitch – the next day with our phones were being flooded with texts and calls from guests expressing what a great success the day was charitably and socially. After returning back to our office, we were eager to count up the funds raised from the day and to our absolute delight the amount totaled at £15,000, far more than our target. We can’t wait to see the impact this money creates and look forward to working with The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust more in the near future.’
CAFT’s CEO Ian Eccles said ‘We’re over the moon to see that the S&G Response 10th Anniversary Golf Day raised a phenomenal £15,000 for our charity! This amazing amount will have a huge impact on the lives of ill, disabled and disadvantaged children from our region who will now have the opportunity to enjoy a holiday here at the Adventure Farm. We really can’t thank everyone enough for their hard work and generosity; together we’ll make a huge difference.’
Alistair Laing, Charity Relationship Manager from CAFT attended the event, and said ‘This was a fantastic event, so much care had been taken to ensure that each and every golfer had a day to remember, and that the maximum amount of money would be raised for our charity. We’re so grateful to the team at S&G Response for their support, they all worked so hard and thanks to them we will bring fun, love and laughter into the lives of so many wonderful children.’
