Financial support for Alzheimer's Society despite Swaffham charity golf day cancellation

Although golfers have returned to play at their courses this month, a major charity event has had to be cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.

Swaffham Rotary's Charity Golf Day has become the latest victim of the pandemic having raised almost £30,000 for local and regional charities over the past seven years.

Despite the shortfall for charities at this time, Adrian Flux, who were due to sponsor the event, has agreed that the sponsorship provided can be allocated to the main charity, the Alzheimer's Society.

Denis Bishop of Swaffham Rotary Club said: "Many charities have benefited including EACH, East Anglian Air Ambulance, the Merle Boddy Centre, SSAFA. In 2020 the main charity was to be the Alzheimer's Society.

"With this generous offer [from Adrian Flux general manager Paul Twite], plus the current Rotary president Stephen Ward making available funds from the annual president fund and a further amount from the Swaffham Rotary Charity fund, we are able to present to the Alzheimer's Society with over £2,500."

Swaffham Rotary's council, which is meeting weekly on Zoom, was unanimously in its decision to support the charity after the cancellation had been announced.

Nicola Gardner, the Alzheimer's Society community fundraiser for Norfolk, said "We were aware that the fundraising golf day may have to be cancelled and were very disappointed that the offer to support us would be unable to proceed. However, words cannot express our feelings when we heard of this generous support from Adrian Flux and the Rotary Club of Swaffham."

She added the the need for funds at this time is "absolutely critical".

Before the decision to postpone had been made, invitations had been sent out and a number of teams who had already booked.

The teams have now been contacted and have been informed of a new date Monday, July 19, 2021.

Ian Pilcher, director and sponsor of the Merle Boddy Day Care Centre said: "We had already spoken to the Rotary to say that we had withdrawn. Merle Boddy is a supporter of the Rotary Club, we share their disappointment and hope to participate again next year."