Golfers raise over £13,000 for Southampton Heartbeat charity

A group of keen golfers have raised more than £13,000 for a cardiac charity.

The team of seven took on the 24-hour challenge to raise money for Southampton's Heartbeat charity.

The group set off on their journey on June 26 at 7pm and finished at the same time the following day.

Jamie Driver, Matt Driver, Andy Bonnon, Harvey Spencer, Dan Warren, Sam Davies, and Alex Ind walked 60km, took around 90,000 steps, and played six rounds of golf in one day.

The funds raised will aid Heartbeat's planned renovation of its D2 Ward at University Hospital Southampton, which could turn it into the UK's largest heart failure unit.

Among the team was Alex Ind, who at 26 years old, has been a cardiac patient since birth due to a congenital heart condition.

He has had four major open-heart surgeries and has benefited greatly from Heartbeat's support.

Jamie Driver said: "It’s a pleasure to join Alex in giving back to a charity that does so much to deliver the very best of care to cardiac patients and their loved ones – often at an incredibly challenging time.

"Everyone put in a fantastic effort on the day and the final total is something we’re all so very proud of."

The funds raised by the group included a £1,000 match funding contribution from Jamie's employer, Barratt David Wilson Homes Southampton Division.

Mark Ind, CEO of Heartbeat and Alex's father, said: "It’s wonderful to see Jamie, Matt, Andy, Harvey, Dan, Sam, and Alex clubbing together in aid of Heartbeat.

"We’re immensely grateful for the team’s hard work to raise a remarkable amount that will make a huge difference.

"Having been with them during much of the challenge, I know there were some tough moments but friendship and passion got them through it.

"Seeing them all come down the eighteenth hole just before 7pm on the Friday was both very inspiring and incredibly emotional – they truly are the 'Magnificent Seven'."