Southampton heart charity raises over £4,500 in 18-hour golf-athon

A Southampton-based charity has raised more than £4,500 in an all-day golf challenge.

Cardiac charity Heartbeat received an incredible £4656.63 to help fund the renovation works at Heartbeat House – a home-from-home facility for the families of patients being treated at University Hospital Southampton.

The money was raised during a mammoth golf-athon, which saw former Premier League striker James Beattie and former Soccer AM presenter Peter ‘Tubes’ take on 18 holes at 18 different golf courses in just 18 hours.

The pair teed off at 5am at Boundary Lakes in Hedge End, Southampton, before travelling between golf courses across Hampshire and Dorset throughout the day.  They completed their final round at Remedy Oak in Wimborne at 9.45pm.

Representatives from event sponsors Peter Cooper Motor Group, Barratt Homes, Bizpedia, and Lee Peck Media joined them along the route, alongside Heartbeat Chief Executive Mark Ind and long-term Heartbeat supporter Ian Cornick. There was also a special appearance from former Tottenham, West Ham and Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp.

Matthew Cornick, Events and Corporate Fundraising Co-Ordinator at Heartbeat, said: “What an excellent challenge this was. A huge thank you to James and Peter for taking on such an ambitious feat in support of Heartbeat.

“This was a real test of endurance, and we are immensely grateful for their commitment, as well as to everyone who joined them throughout the day and helped make the event such a success.

“The funds raised will go towards the renovation of Heartbeat House, which provides vital accommodation for the families of cardiac patients across the Wessex region during what can be an extremely difficult time.”

Peter ‘Tubes’ Dale commented: “We knew this challenge was going to be tough when we came up with the idea, but the support we received throughout the day was incredible and kept us going from the first tee to the last.”

James Beattie added: “Heartbeat does amazing work supporting cardiac patients and their families across the region, and we’re proud to have played a small part in helping raise funds for such an important cause. Taking on 18 courses in 18 hours was certainly a test of endurance, but it was worth every minute knowing the difference these funds will make.”

Tubes continued: “We’d like to thank everyone who joined us along the way, as well as the sponsors and volunteers who helped make the day possible. We hope this inspires others to get behind Heartbeat and support the fantastic work the charity does every day.”

Heartbeat supports people of all ages across the region who have been diagnosed with congenital and cardiovascular disease. The charity provides specialist equipment, services and facilities to help patients and their families throughout their cardiac journey, while also funding pioneering projects and ground-breaking research to advance heart health.