A PAIR of sporting legends completed a marathon round of golf with a twist last month while raising vital funds and raising awareness for a rare muscle wastage disease.
Sir Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham and Shane Warne competed in an 18-hole England vs Australia competition, playing each hole in a different cricketing county on Thursday (July 21).
The pair teed off in Durham before playing across the country – and then arrived at Fulford Heath Golf Club, where they played the Warwickshire and Worcestershire holes.
Worcestershire marked the 16th hole on the ‘course’ for both Botham and Warne, they then both crossed the River Cole – which runs across the course and splits both counties – to play hole 17, the Warwickshire hole.
The event raised funds for the Beefy Foundation and also helped raise awareness for ‘Fighting Back For Jack’ and Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Botham and Warne took time out of their tight schedule to meet inspirational Solihull youngster Jack Gauder, who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in October 2013, shortly before his third birthday.
The condition affects one in 3,500 people nationwide, has no cure, comes with a life expectancy of just 18 years and only affects boys.
Jack’s condition means he struggles to get dressed in the morning, finds it impossible to walk long distances and requires assistance when twisting or lifting objects.
Since his diagnosis, Jack’s family have raised an astonishing £50,000 for ‘Fighting Back For Jack’ – a fundraising site set up with the aim of raising funds and awareness about the incurable disease.
A total of £3,700 was raised throughout the event – which will be split between Muscular Dystrophy UK and Fighting Back For Jack.
For more information about the work of Muscular Dystrophy UK, contact Amanda Francis on 02078 034844 or [email protected]
