Cranleigh Golf & Country Club is using April to “Stand up for Ukraine” with a packed month of initiatives that will see money donated to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal.
The club will be running a number of activities for its current members to raise vital funds to protect those directly affected by the conflict in Ukraine, with all donations going to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
At least three million people have been forced to flee the Eastern European country since the start of the crisis. The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to provide and deliver aid to ensure successful appeals. The charities include Oxfam, Save the Children UK, Age International, British Red Cross, Cafod, Christian Aid and Islamic Relief.
As part of Cranleigh’s Stand Up for Ukraine Month, the 6th and 9th of April will see the club host a pair of “Beat the Pro” golf events against the club’s head PGA professional, Jackson Jones, offering members three chances to beat his tee shot onto the par-three first green. An entry fee of £5 will be donated to the charity, with a £10 levy uplift on offer for anyone able to successfully put the ball closer to the hole than Jones.
Then, on 12th April, the club will host a cake sale in the barn from 10am - 1pm, with any profit going to the charity. This will be followed up a day later with the monthly quiz night which will hope to see its regular strong turnout, with each ticket providing a donation.
As the month moves on, it is tennis coach Ollie Kirk’s turn to take on the membership, with members able to pay £5 to try and ace Kirk, the winners earning a £10 levy card uplift should one of their serves be successful.
The final fundraising initiative will take place back inside the club as the staff take part in a “spinathon”, attempting to ride spin bikes from Cranleigh to Kiev – a distance of 2,451 kilometres. This will see them manning the spin bikes for eight hours a day on selected days throughout the month.
On top of the events taking place over the next few weeks, Cranleigh has committed to donating 50 per cent of new member joining fees to the appeal during April. Those enrolling in a membership will automatically donate £37.50 to the DEC while the other half will be added to their levy card to spend at the club. Each new member will have the option to donate the full £75 directly to charity if they wish.
Alex Milne, deputy general manager, said: “The ongoing crisis in Ukraine is at the forefront of everyone’s minds. As a club, we wanted to work together with our members to do our bit.
“It’s fantastic to see so many members of staff getting involved in the packed schedule of fundraising events and we’re looking forward to seeing how much money we can raise – and if anyone is able to beat Jackson and Ollie!
“We’re hoping to see lots of new faces join the club in the knowledge that they will also be making a difference to a hugely important cause.”
Situated in Surrey, midway between Guildford and Horsham, Cranleigh features gym and spa facilities, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a crèche and a 18-hole par-68, 5,644m golf course.