THE Pitch and Putt Open, a fundraising event organised by healthcare charity Sue Ryder Care at Aireville Park in Skipton, has scored a major boost following a £2,000 donation from the Premier League's 'Places for Players' scheme.

Andrew Wood, Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Care - Manorlands Hospice, who is organising the event, said he was delighted with the award. "We applied to win the attendance of a Blackburn Rovers player to take part in the golf tournament and set a score for those who follow to beat. Unfortunately, Blackburn has a match scheduled on the first day of the event. However, the club was so impressed with how the event involves a charity, Craven District Council, businesses and the public that they awarded us a runners up prize of £2,000 to help make the event a real success."

In March volunteers from Sue Ryder Care and representatives from Craven District Council carried out a tidy up of the fourteen hole course and as a thank you, the Council has donated the use of the course to raise funds to support the work carried out by the charity in the Craven area of the Yorkshire Dales.

The event will take place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 October with trophies and prizes for several categories: best overall score, best lady and best junior. Andrew is hoping local businesses will also share in the publicity surrounding the event by sponsoring a hole.

Golfers of all standards are urged to be quick off the mark in reserving their tee off times for the event which it is hoped will attract hundreds of participants. The entry fee is only £5 per player and all proceeds will go to the hospice.

Sue Ryder Care - Manorlands Hospice provides specialist hospice care for patients living in Airedale and Craven with life limiting conditions alongside counseling services for their families.

If you are interested in receiving more information or in taking part in the event, call the fundraising office at Sue Ryder Care - Manorlands Hospice on 01535 640432 and reserve a tee off time for groups of four players.